Achievement of an efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalyst based on carbon boosted with MnOx/MnCo2O4 with excellent electrocatalytic activity in neutral media

In the current research, a manganese and cobalt oxides-based nanocatalyst was developed which was used to make an efficient cathode electrode for fuel cells. The nano MnOx/MnCo2O4 was synthesized through a hydrothermal procedure followed by sintering at 500-600 degrees C. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy besides electrochemical techniques were applied for the characterization of the synthesized nanocatalyst. The carbon black type Vulcan (XC-72R) and PTFE were used to prepare the active reaction material of the cathode electrode named carbon paste (CP). Loading of the synthesized nano MnOx/MnCo2O on CP was optimized in a weight ratio of 10-90% for the oxygen reduction process in neutral conditions. The best performance was gained for the 50 W% MnOx/MnCo2O loaded CP, whose active surface area was twice the bare CP. The values of the exchange current density of the ORR obtained by electrode containing 50 W% MnOx/MnCo2O was calculated as 0.12 mA/cm(2). The low price, good catalytic efficiency, and cyclic stability of the MnOx/MnCo2O nanocatalyst compared to the commercial platinum-based catalysts confirm its ability to develop fuel cell electrodes.

Automated summary

In this research, a nanocatalyst based on manganese and cobalt oxides was developed to create an efficient cathode electrode for fuel cells. The nano MnOx/MnCo2O4 was synthesized through a hydrothermal procedure followed by sintering. Various characterization techniques were used to analyze the synthesized nanocatalyst. The synthesized nanocatalyst was loaded onto carbon paste in different weight ratios, and the best performance was achieved with 50 W% MnOx/MnCo2O loaded carbon paste, showing twice the active surface area compared to bare carbon paste. The nanocatalyst demonstrated low cost, good catalytic efficiency, and cyclic stability, making it a potential alternative to platinum-based catalysts for fuel cell electrodes.