Journal
TOPICS IN CATALYSIS
Volume 46, Issue 3-4, Pages 263-275Publisher
SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS
DOI: 10.1007/s11244-007-9002-y
Keywords
non-platinum electrocatalysts; structural studies; XPS; multivariate analysis; PCA
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The chemical structure of non-platinum electrocatalysts obtained from cobalt porphyrins (CoTMPP or CoTPP) by pyrolysis is investigated by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The catalysts represent highly dispersed, self-supported nano-composites that demonstrate electrocatalytic performance for oxygen reduction and practically no activity in methanol electro-oxidation. High-resolution Co2p, C1s, N1s and O1s XPS spectra acquired from precursors and electrocatalysts pyrolyzed at various experimental conditions were curve-fit using (a) individual peaks of constrained width and shape as well as (b) experimentally obtained photopeaks from the precursor with additional peaks required for a complete curve fit. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) applied to quantitative results from the curve-fits of both types of spectra facilitates visualization and identification of the chemical species that are formed or destroyed, and simplifies evaluation of critical correlations. As a result of these studies it is established that the catalyst is a nano-composite of highly dispersed pyropolymer with some remaining N (x) -centers inserted into a graphite-like matrix. Approximately 50% of the metal is distributed as Co2+, associated with N-4-centers. The remaining cobalt is present in crystallites of metallic Co. A thin layer of CoO coats these metallic cobalt phases. The developed methodology, described herein, combines model curve-fits and principal component analysis (PCA), resulting in a quantitative and unambiguous understanding of the chemical composition and structure of complex electrocatalysts.
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