Yttrium Copper Titanate as a Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Fuel Cells,...

Replacing platinum (Pt) metal-based electrocatalysts used in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells is an important research topic due to the high cost and scarcity of Pt, which have restricted the commercialization of these clean-energy technologies. The ABO₃-type perovskite family of an ACu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (A = Ca, Y, Bi, and La) polycrystalline material can serve as an alternative electrocatalyst for the ORR in terms of low-cost, activity, and stability. These perovskite materials may be considered the next generation electro-catalyst for the ORR because of their photocatalytic activity and physical and chemical properties capable of containing a wide range of A- and B-site metals. This paper reports the ORR activity of a new Y_2/3Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂ perovskite, synthesized via a rapid and facile automatic flame synthesis technique using rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurements. Y_2/3Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂/C has superior ORR activity, stability, and durability compared to commercial Pt/C. The results presented in this article will provide the future perspectives to research based on ACu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (A = Ca, Y, Bi, Sm, Cd, and La) perovskite as the next generation electro-catalyst for the ORR in various electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells, metal-air batteries, and electrolysis.