Strongly stabilized integrated bimetallic oxide of Fe2O3-MoO3 Nano-crystal entrapped N-doped graphene as a superior oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalyst

In-expensive transition metal catalysts are the most favorable substitutes to the noble metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells energy technology. Herein, the article focused on the synthesis of uniformly distributed nano-sized bimetallic Fe2O3-MoO3 oxide encapsulated nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) (Fe2O3-MoO3/NG core-shell structure) catalyst through well-controlling reaction parameters and its prospective applications towards ORR for the first time. Thus, these unique synergistic interactions of bimetallic Fe2O3-Fe2O3 and NG support could modify the surface-strain effects, which led to enriching catalytic activity. Thus, Fe2O3-MoO3/NG core-shell structure demonstrated excellent catalytic activity, and far exceeding in long-term durability, better methanol tolerance compared to commercial Pt/C catalyst. Furthermore, the monometallic oxide (Fe2O3 or MoO3) or NG individually have poor activity for ORR, but their hybrid materials (Fe2O3-MoO3/NG) influenced strongly due to their structural properties, such as crystal structure, exclusive porosity, particle size and multiple active interfaces, display unexpected and remarkably high ORR activities similar to Pt/C in alkaline medium, This makes Fe2O3-MoO3/NG core-shell structure a suitable and efficient non-precious electrocatalysts with high catalytic ability, that could open up a new promising approach to advanced catalysts for electrochemical energy conversion and storage.

Automated summary

This study focused on the synthesis of a Fe2O3-MoO3/NG core-shell catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells, which demonstrated excellent catalytic activity and long-term durability, as well as better methanol tolerance. The unique synergistic interactions of bimetallic Fe2O3-MoO3 and nitrogen-doped graphene support contribute to enhancing catalytic activity. The Fe2O3-MoO3/NG core-shell structure shows high potential to be an efficient non-precious electrocatalyst with promising applications in electrochemical energy conversion and storage.