Efficient bifunctional cerium-zeolite electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions in alkaline media

Abstract

Four cerium-zeolites were examined as low-cost bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in an alkaline solution. Cerium-exchanged zeolites, synthetic 13X and natural clinoptilolite were employed as prepared and calcined (cal). Four samples (Ce-13X cal, Ce-13X, Ce-Cli cal, and Ce-Cli) were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and Brunner-Emmet-Teller (BET) method. All four zeolites exhibited activity for the two studied reactions. Ce-13X cal gave the lowest onset potential accompanied by the highest OER current density. Furthermore, Ce-13X cal showed the most positive ORR onset potential value of 0.84 V and the most positive ORR half-wave potential of 0.75 V (ca. 50 mV more positive than value for the other three cerium-zeolite electrodes) accompanied by the lowest Tafel slope of 80 mV dec−1. Koutecky-Levich analysis indicated that ORR follows 2-electron pathway. Overall, Ce-13X cal showed the best OER/ORR performances in alkaline solution.