2D-Hexagonal Boron Nitride Screen-Printed Bulk-Modified Electrochemical Platforms Explored towards Oxygen Reduction
Aamar F Khan1,2, Alejandro Garcia-Miranda Ferrari1,2, Jack P Hughes1,2
1Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, UK.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 20, 2022
Summary
Screen-printed electrodes incorporating 2D hexagonal boron nitride (2D-hBN) offer a scalable, metal-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs). A 5% 2D-hBN loading significantly enhances ORR performance in acidic media.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Developing efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) is crucial for energy applications.
- Metal-free catalysts are desirable to avoid issues associated with noble metal catalysts, such as cost and poisoning.
- Two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (2D-hBN) is an emerging material with potential catalytic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a scalable and reproducible method for mass-producing screen-printed electrode (SPE) platforms incorporating 2D-hBN.
- To evaluate the performance of these novel 2D-hBN/SPEs as metal-free electrocatalysts for ORRs in acidic media.
- To compare the catalytic activity of 2D-hBN/SPEs with unmodified SPEs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of screen-printed electrode (SPE) platforms with varying mass incorporations of 2D-hBN.
- Electrochemical evaluation of the fabricated 2D-hBN/SPEs for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) in acidic media.
- Comparison of electrochemical performance metrics, including onset potential and current density, against bare SPEs.
Main Results:
- A 5% mass incorporation of 2D-hBN into SPEs yielded the most effective ORR catalysis.
- The 5% 2D-hBN/SPE demonstrated a significant reduction in ORR onset potential by approximately 200 mV compared to bare SPEs.
- An 83% increase in achievable current was observed for the 5% 2D-hBN/SPE relative to unmodified SPEs.
Conclusions:
- The screen-printing approach provides a scalable, reproducible, and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods like drop-casting for 2D-hBN electrode fabrication.
- The developed 2D-hBN/SPEs show promising potential as metal-free electrocatalysts for ORRs in acidic environments.
- This fabrication method enables the large-scale manufacture of novel electrode platforms applicable to various electrochemical applications.
