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Mn-Ni-Co-O Spinel Oxides towards Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Medium: Mn<sub>0.5</sub>Ni<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/C Synergism and Cooperation
oleh: Thabo Matthews, Tarekegn Heliso Dolla, Sandile Surprise Gwebu, Tebogo Abigail Mashola, Lihle Tshepiso Dlamini, Emanuela Carleschi, Patrick Ndungu, Nobanathi Wendy Maxakato
Format: | Article |
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Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2021-08-01 |
Deskripsi
Mn-doped spinel oxides Mn<sub>x</sub>Ni<sub>1−x</sub>Co<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1) were synthesized using the citric acid-assisted sol–gel method. The Mn<sub>0.5</sub>Ni<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (x = 0.5) supported on carbon nanosheets, Mn<sub>0.5</sub>Ni<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/C, was also prepared using the same method employing NaCl and glucose as a template and carbon source, respectively, followed by pyrolysis under an inert atmosphere. The electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity was performed in alkaline media. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to investigate the oxygen reduction performance of Mn<sub>x</sub>Ni<sub>1−x</sub>Co<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1), and Mn<sub>0.5</sub>Ni<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> was found to be the best-performing electrocatalyst. Upon supporting the Mn<sub>0.5</sub>Ni<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> on a carbon sheet, the electrocatalytic activity was significantly enhanced owing to its large surface area and the improved charge transfer brought about by the carbon support. Rotating disk electrode studies show that the ORR electrocatalytic activity of Mn<sub>0.5</sub>Ni<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/C proceeds via a four-electron pathway. Mn<sub>0.5</sub>Ni<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/C was found to possess E<sub>1/2</sub>(V) = 0.856, a current density of 5.54 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>, and a current loss of approximately 0.11% after 405 voltammetric scan cycles. This study suggests that the interesting electrocatalytic performance of multimetallic transition metal oxides can be further enhanced by supporting them on conductive carbon materials, which improve charge transfer and provide a more active surface area.