Graphene-Supported Au-Ni Carbon Nitride Electrocatalysts for the ORR in Alkaline Environment

TL;DR

This paper presents the development of graphene-supported Au-Ni carbon nitride electrocatalysts with a core-shell structure, demonstrating promising oxygen reduction reaction performance in alkaline environments, characterized by various analytical techniques.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel core-shell electrocatalyst design with embedded Au and Ni on graphene, enhancing ORR activity in alkaline media.

Findings

ECs show promising ORR activity in alkaline medium

Detailed characterization confirms core-shell morphology and composition

Electrocatalysts exhibit thermal stability and effective active sites

Abstract

This study reports the preparation and characterization of a new family of electrocatalysts (ECs) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) exhibiting a 'core-shell' morphology. The 'core' consists of graphene sheets, which are covered by a carbon nitride (CN) 'shell' embedding Au and Ni active sites. The investigated ECs are labeled AuNi10-CNl 600/Gr and AuNi10-CNl 900/Gr. The chemical composition and thermal stability are studied by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICPAES), elemental analysis and by high-resolution thermogravimetric analysis (HR-TGA). The morphology of the ECs is probed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), highresolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The ORR performance of the ECs is studied both in acid (0.1 M HClO4) and in alkaline medium (0.1 M KOH) by Cyclic Voltammetry with the Thin-Film Rotating Ring-Disk Electrode (CV-TF-RRDE) method. Both ECs exhibit a promising performance in the ORR in the alkaline medium.