Ni and Co-based bifunctional electrocatalysts supported on TiO2@C for oxygen evolution and reduction reactions

• Published in: Electrochimica acta Vol. 506; p. 145030
• Main Authors: Fernandes, Diana M., Abdelkader-Fernandez, Victor K., Fayad, Ali, Ania, Conchi O., Praxedes, Fabiano R., Lanfredi, Silvania, Rodríguez-Castellón, Enrique, Rodríguez-Aguado, Elena, Hernández-Garrido, Juan C., Quintana-González, Juan J., Poon, Po S., Matos, Juan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2024
• Subjects: Fuel-cells; NiCo-based electrocatalysts; OER; ORR; TiO2@C supports; TiO2@C supports; Fuel-cells; OER; ORR; NiCo-based electrocatalysts
• ISSN: 0013-4686
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2024.145030

•Ni and Co-based electrocatalysts supported on bifunctional TiO2@C.•Electrocatalytic studies on OER and ORR processes.•Biomass influences the properties of hybrid TiO2@C supports and electroactivity.•The number of electrons involved in OER and ORR was determined.•Co-based catalysts are alternative catalysts in fuel cells-related reactions. In the search for affordable, ecofriendly, and sustainable catalysts for energy-related processes, series of Ni and Co-based bifunctional hybrid electrocatalysts supported on TiO2@C were prepared and studied in the oxygen evolution (OER) and oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). The hybrid TiO2@C supports were prepared using three biomass precursors: furfural, chitosan and saccharose. The nature and dispersion of the metallic phases on those supports was evaluated as a function of the biomass-derived precursors. The prepared materials showed electrocatalytic activity towards ORR and OER reaction, being more active for the latter. Despite a lower performance than Pt/C benchmark, these materials are clearly at much lower costs. The long-term stability and performance of the catalysts were also performed. The number of electrons involved in both processes was determined and a mechanism is proposed for the understanding of the mechanism of reactions using the present materials. It can be concluded that the Ni and mainly Co-based electrocatalysts show a remarkable potential for use as alternative catalysts in fuel cells-related reactions. [Display omitted]