Sodalite-type Cu-based Three-dimensional Metal-Organic Framework for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Prabu Mani1, Sharat Devadas1, Tamilselvi Gurusamy2
1School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695551, India.
Chemistry, an Asian Journal
|November 8, 2019
Summary
Copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-BTT) demonstrates high activity and stability for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media. This catalyst shows excellent performance, attributed to its nitrogen-rich ligand and copper(I) active sites.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) is crucial for energy conversion technologies.
- Developing efficient and stable electrocatalysts for ORR is a significant challenge.
- Copper-based biocatalysts inspire the study of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for ORR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electrocatalytic performance of a copper-based MOF (Cu-BTT) for ORR.
- To understand the active sites and reaction mechanism of Cu-BTT in alkaline medium.
- To evaluate the stability and kinetics of the Cu-BTT catalyst.
Main Methods:
- Electrochemical studies including cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry.
- Hydrodynamic voltammetry to confirm the electron transfer number.
- X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) for surface analysis.
Main Results:
- Cu-BTT exhibits a high onset potential (Eonset) of 0.940 V and a half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.778 V for ORR.
- The catalyst demonstrated exceptional stability, with unchanged current for up to 12 hours.
- Hydrodynamic voltammetry confirmed a 4-electron transfer pathway for the ORR kinetics.
Conclusions:
- Cu-BTT is a highly active and stable electrocatalyst for ORR in alkaline media.
- The catalytic activity is attributed to the nitrogen-rich tetrazole ligand and the in-situ generation of copper(I) active sites.
- The study provides insights into the mechanism of ORR on copper-based MOFs.
