• 한국분말재료학회지
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.420-425
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• 2016

N-doped carbon nanofibers as catalysts for oxygen-reduction reactions are synthesized using electrospinning and carbonization. Their morphologies, structures, chemical bonding states, and electrochemical performance are characterized. The optimized N-doped carbon nanofibers exhibit graphitization of carbon nanofibers and an increased nitrogen doping as well as a uniform network structure. In particular, the optimized N-doped carbon nanofibers show outstanding catalytic activity for oxygen-reduction reactions, such as a half-wave potential ($E_{1/2}$) of 0.43 V, kinetic limiting current density of $6.2mAcm^{-2}$, electron reduction pathways (n = 3.1), and excellent long-term stability after 2000 cycles, resulting in a lower $E_{1/2}$ potential degradation of 13 mV. The improvement in the electrochemical performance results from the synergistic effect of the graphitization of carbon nanofibers and the increased amount of nitrogen doping.

• 전기화학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.90-96
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• 2020

수소의 화학반응 에너지를 직접 전기 에너지로 변환하는 Polymer electolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs)는 친환경 미래 운송수단 에너지원의 한 종류이다. PEMFCs의 내부에 산소 환원 반응이 매우 느리고 고가의 백금을 사용하기 때문에 이를 대체하려는 연구가 국내외에서 매우 활발히 연구되고 있다. 하지만 백금이외에 값싼 재료를 이용한 촉매의 경우 여전히 성능이 매우 상이하며 활성 향상에 대한 지표 등이 다양하다. 이에 본 총설은 non-precious metal catalyst (NPMC)의 활성 지표 등을 정리하고 최근 5년간의 자료를 요약하였다. 이를 통해 촉매재료의 선별, 합성시 주안점, 조촉매 등을 설명하며, 촉매 활성에 대한 연구의 필요성을 상기 시킬 수 있다. 이를 통해 귀금속 촉매가 널리 사용되는 분야에 적용할 수 있는 NPMC의 연구 및 개발에 기여할 수 있을 것으로 보인다. 또한 향후 연구개발의 최종적인 목표를 기술한다.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.269-276
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• 2016

Carbon-supported ordered Pt-Ti alloy nanoparticles were prepared as a durable and efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) via wet chemical reduction of Pt and Ti precursors with heat treatment at $800^{\circ}C$. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the prepared electrocatalysts with Ti precursor molar compositions of 40% (PtTi40) and 25% (PtTi25) had ordered $Pt_3Ti$ and $Pt_8Ti$ structures, respectively. Comparison of the ORR polarization before and after 1500 electrochemical cycles between 0.6 and 1.1 V showed little change in the ORR polarization curve of the electrocatalysts, demonstrating the high stability of the PtTi40 and PtTi25 alloys. Under the same conditions, commercial carbon-supported Pt nanoparticle electrocatalysts exhibited a negative potential shift (10 mV) in the ORR polarization curve after electrochemical cycling, indicating degradation of the ORR activity.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.137-145
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• 2021

Among the non-precious metal catalysts, iron-nitrogen doped carbon (Fe-N/C) catalysts have been recognized as the most promising candidates for an alternative to Pt-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) under alkaline and acidic conditions. In this study, the nano replication method using mesoporous silica, which features tunable primary particle sizes and shape, is employed to prepare the mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts with different shapes. Platelet SBA-15, irregular KIT-6, and spherical silica particle (SSP) were selected as a template to generate three different kinds of shapes of the mesoporous Fe-N/C catalyst. Physicochemical properties of mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts are characterized by using small-angle X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, and scanning electron microscopy images. According to the electrochemical evaluation, there is no morphological preference of mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts toward the ORR activity with half-cell configuration under alkaline electrolyte. By implementing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of Fe and N atoms in the mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts, it is possible to verify that the activity towards ORR highly depends on the portions of "Fe-N" species in the catalysts regardless of the shape of catalysts. It was suggested that active site distribution in the Fe-N/C is one important factor towards ORR activity.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제32권9호
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• pp.3209-3210
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• 2011

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제60권1호
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• pp.151-158
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• 2022

고가의 귀금속 촉매는 고분자 전해질 연료전지의 상업화에 걸림돌로 인식되어 저가의 비귀금속 촉매 연구가 활발하다. 본 연구에서는 Fe-N-C 촉매를 킬레이팅이 가능한 4가지 다른 질소 전구체 N,N,N',N'-detramethylethylenediamine(TMEDA), 1,2-ethylenediamine (EDA), m-dicyanobenzene (DCB), dicyandiamide (DCDA)를 이용하여 700, 800, 900, 1000 ℃에서 합성하였다. 촉매의 물리적 특성은 주사전자현미경, X선 회절분석기, 자동원소분석기를 이용하여 분석하였다. 이를 통해 촉매 표면 형태 및 원소의 분산도와 에너지 분산형 X-선 분광을 적용하여 Fe의 함량을 확인하였다. 또한 비금속 원소의 함량과 Fe의 담지 여부 등을 확인하였다. 전기화학적 특성은 순환 전압전류법과 선형주사전위법을 통해 촉매의 전기화학적 산소 환원에 대한 활성과 전자전달수 등을 분석하였다. 결과에 따르면 질소 전구체로 EDA를 사용하여 800 ℃의 소성온도에서 합성한 촉매가 가장 높은 산소 환원 활성을 보였다. 이 연구 결과는 고가의 귀금속을 대체하기 위한 노력에 도움이 될 것으로 예상된다.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• 제6권4호
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• pp.121-130
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• 2015

The micro emulsion method has been successfully used for preparing perovskite LaCoO₃ with uniform, fine-shaped nanoparticles showing high activity as electro catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs). They are, therefore, promising candidates for the air-cathode in metal-air rechargeable batteries. Since the activity of a catalyst is highly dependent on its specific surface area, nanoparticles of the perovskite catalyst are desirable for catalyzing both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions. Herein, LaCoO₃ powder was also prepared by sol-gel method for comparison, with a broad particle distribution and high agglomeration. The electro catalytic properties of LaCoO₃ and LaCoO₃-carbon Super P mixture layers toward the ORR were studied comparatively using the rotating disk electrode technique in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte to elucidate the effect of carbon Super P. Koutecky-Levich theory was applied to acquire the overall electron transfer number (n) during the ORR, calculated to be ~3.74 for the LaCoO₃-Super P mixture, quite close to the theoretical value (4.0), and ~2.7 for carbon-free LaCoO₃. A synergistic effect toward the ORR is observed when carbon is present in the LaCoO₃ layer. Carbon is assumed to be more than an additive, enhancing the electronic conductivity of the oxide catalyst. It is suggested that ORRs, catalyzed by the LaCoO₃-Super P mixture, are dominated by a 2+2-electron transfer pathway to form the final, hydroxyl ion product.

• 청정기술
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.55-61
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• 2024

연료전지의 산소환원반응용 백금 촉매의 높은 비용을 극복하기 위하여 나노 구조 제어를 통한 고성능의 백금 합금 촉매 개발 연구가 활발히 수행되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 탄소에 담지된 니켈-니켈 질화물 복합체와 백금 이온 간의 갈바닉 치환 반응 시 용액의 pH 조절을 통한 촉매의 나노구조를 중공형이나 코어-쉘 구조로 제어하는 방법을 제시하였다. X선 회절 분석과 투과전자현미경, 유도결합 플라즈마를 이용한 분석을 통해 합성 조건에 따른 금속의 상태와 함량 및 합금 입자의 형상에 대한 물리적 특성 평가를 수행하였다. 제조된 촉매를 산소환원반응 촉매로 적용하였으며 상용 백금 촉매 대비 1.7배(중공형 촉매) 및 1.9배(코어-쉘 구조 촉매) 개선된 전기화학적 활성 면적 당 활성을 나타내었다.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.76-81
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• 2016

An anatase TiO₂ nanotube array (NTA) was fabricated by anodization and successive heat treatments. When the anatase TiO₂ NTA was cathodically polarized, its color changed to blue, and it could be used as an electrochemically active anode for an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline water electrolysis. The structure of the blue anatase TiO₂ NTA was controlled by the anodization conditions and its catalytic activity increased with an increase of the surface area. The activity of the blue anatase TiO₂ NTA gradually reduced with the continued OER because of the partial oxidation of Ti³⁺ to Ti⁴⁺. However, an intermittent cathodic regeneration process could significantly slow its reduction rate. The blue anatase TiO₂ NTA could be an alternative anode for alkaline water electrolysis.

• 한국세라믹학회지
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.278-282
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• 2014

Due to high ionic conductivity and favorable oxygen electrocatalysis, doped $Bi_2O_3$ systems are promising candidates as solid oxide fuel cell cathode materials. Recently, several researchers reported reasonably low cathode polarization resistance by adding electronically conducting materials such as (La,Sr)$MnO_3$ (LSM) or Ag to doped $Bi_2O_3$ compositions. Despite extensive research efforts toward maximizing cathode performance, however, the inherent catalytic activity and electrochemical reaction pathways of these promising materials remain largely unknown. Here, we prepare a symmetrical structure with identically sized $Y_{0.5}Bi_{1.5}O_3$/LSM composite electrodes on both sides of a YSZ electrolyte substrate. AC impedance spectroscopy (ACIS) measurements of electrochemical cells with varied cathode compositions reveal the important role of bismuth oxide phase for oxygen electrocatalysis. These observations aid in directing future research into the reaction pathways and the site-specific electrocatalytic activity as well as giving improved guidance for optimizing SOFC cathode structures with doped $Bi_2O_3$ compositions.