Few-layer borocarbonitride nanosheets: platinum-free catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction.
The present study demonstrates the use of few-layer borocarbonitride nanosheets synthesized by a simple method as non-platinum cathode catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline medium. Composition-dependent ORR activity is observed and the best performance was found when the composition was carbon-rich. Mechanistic aspects reveal that ORR follows the 4 e(-) pathway with kinetic parameters comparable to those of the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Excellent methanol tolerance is observed with the BCN nanosheets unlike with Pt/C.
Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012 (India).
Kota
K
Moses
Vankayala
V
Kiran
S
S
Sampath
C N R
CN
Rao
doping; layered compounds; nanostructures; nitrides; reduction