title: Synthesis and X-ray Characterization of Cobalt Phosphide (Co2P) Nanorods for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction.
abstract: Low temperature fuel cells are clean, effective alternative fuel conversion technology. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the fuel cell cathode has required Pt as the electrocatalyst for high activity and selectivity of the four-electron reaction pathway. Targeting a less expensive, earth abundant alternative, we have developed the synthesis of cobalt phosphide (Co2P) nanorods for ORR. Characterization techniques that include total X-ray scattering and extended X-ray absorption fine structure revealed a deviation of the nanorods from bulk crystal structure with a contraction along the b orthorhombic lattice parameter. The carbon supported nanorods have comparable activity but are remarkably more stable than conventional Pt catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline environments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.
authors.forename: Vicky V T
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Doan-Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.
authors.forename: Sen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Trigg
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.affiliation: Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory , Upton, New York, New York 11973, United States.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory , Upton, New York, New York 11973, United States.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.
authors.forename: Karen I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Winey
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.|Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.
authors.forename: Christopher B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Murray
keywords: cobalt phosphide nanorods; electrocatalysis; oxygen reduction reaction