Carbon Supports for MNC CatalystsNate Leonard

Introduction

Porosity

Pore Size Distribution of various carbon precursors and the associated catalysts modeled from DFT calculations based on nitrogen adsorption at 77K.

RRDE Study

RRDE polarization curves plotted along with percent peroxide generation. Experimental conditions: 0.5M H2SO4, 1200 rpm, catalyst loading 0.5 mg/cm2 on glass carbon electrode.

Tafel Analysis

Tafel plot of four different catalysts. Experimental conditions: 0.5M H2SO4, 1200 rpm, catalyst loading 0.5 mg/cm2 on glass carbon electrode.

Porosity

Relationship between mesoporous area of four different catalysts and two different parameters: nitrogen content and iR-free activity at 0.8 V vs. RHE.

Conclusions carbon mesoporosity can impact

nitrogen adsorption electrochemical activity. • substrates that can adsorb the most nitrogen

show the highest activity. • transport of precursors important to potential

active sites. • mesoporosity increases, both nitrogen

adsorption and activity increase. Therefore activity maybe tied to both mesoporous transport and surface chemistry.