Cerium doped graphene-based materials towards oxygen reduction reaction catalysis

TL;DR

This study uses density functional theory to show that cerium doping in graphene enhances its catalytic activity for oxygen reduction, especially when combined with oxygen atoms and structural defects, offering a sustainable alternative to metal catalysts.

Contribution

It provides a computational analysis demonstrating how cerium doping improves graphene's catalytic performance for oxygen reduction, highlighting the role of oxygen atoms and defects.

Findings

Ce doping with oxygen atoms enhances catalytic activity.

Synergistic effects lower reaction free energies.

Potential as a sustainable alternative to metal catalysts.

Abstract

With the global transition towards cleaner energy and sustainable processes, the demand for efficient catalysts, especially for the oxygen reduction reaction, has gained attention from the scientific community. This research work investigates cerium-doped graphene-based materials as catalysts for this process with density functional theory calculations. The electrochemical performance of Ce-doped graphene was assessed within the computation hydrogen electrode framework. Our findings reveal that Ce doping, especially when synergized with an oxygen atom, shows improved catalytic activity and selectivity. For instance, Ce doping in combination with an oxygen atom, located near a border, can be selective for the 2-electron pathway. Overall, the combination of Ce doping with structural defects and oxygenated functions lowers the reaction free energies for the oxygen reduction compared to pure graphene, and consequently, might improve the catalytic activity. This research sheds light from a computational perspective on Ce-doped carbon materials as a sustainable alternative to traditional costly metal-based catalysts, offering promising prospects for green energy technologies and electrochemical applications.