Characterization of La1-xSrxMnO3 perovskite catalysts for hydrogen peroxide reduction

We investigated the crystalline phase and electronic structure of perovskite-type La1-xSrxMnO3 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) (LSMx) catalysts synthesized via the citric sol-gel route, for H2O2 reduction. The resulting materials were characterized by XRD, XANES, TR-XANES, and TPO and, after calcination, consisted of cubic perovskite for 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8 and hexagonal perovskite for x = 1.0. Mn species in the precalcined catalysts were oxidized to Mn(3+) for x = 0.0 to 0.6 and to Mn(2+) for x = 0.8 and 1.0. After calcination, Mn species were present in a mixed oxidation state of Mn(3+)/Mn(4+), while Sr(2+) and La(3+) were not altered. TR-XANES and TPO showed that Mn species were oxidized at 210-220 °C and formed active perovskites LSM0.4 and LSM0.0 at 580 °C and 640 °C. This shows that Sr doping can reduce the oxidation temperature of LSMx with 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.4. However, the concentration of Mn(4+) in LSMx is increased which is useful for enhancing their catalytic activity and stability. When tested in an alkaline electrolyte, LSM0.6 containing the optimum Mn(4+)/Mn(3+) ratio promoted the formation of hydroxyl via the oxygen intercalation reaction and exhibited low polarization resistance and the highest catalytic activity for H2O2 reduction.