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Graphite carbon enclosed AlN nanoparticles with enhanced methanol-tolerant electrocatalytic properties for oxygen reduction

C. Liang, H. Wang, K. Huang, W. Liu, K. Bi, M. Lei

Journal of Ceramic Science and Technology, Vol. 10, No. 1 (2019), pp. 1-8

DOI: 10.4416/JCST2018-00041

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Abstract

The methanol crossover effects and high-cost of Pt based catalysts severely restrict the practical applications of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). In this work, a novel structure of ∼25 nm AlN nanoparticles with graphite carbon outer coating (AlN@C) was synthesized via a one-step solid-state method with simultaneous nitridation processes and carbon graphitization. AlN@C nanocomposites were exploited as a catalyst of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Benefited from the graphite carbon outer coating, AlN@C exhibits enhanced electrochemical properties (more positive onset potential and higher current density) than pure AlN. Notably, superior methanol-tolerance (a negligible current change after adding 3 M methanol) and excellent durability (91.4 % of the initial current density remained after 10000 s of chronoamperometry test) can be observed. This study provides a feasible approach for developing the applications of traditional ceramic materials towards the ORR catalyst in DMFCs.

Keywords

Aluminum nitride, composite materials, graphite carbon, fuel cells, oxygen reduction reaction.

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