Highly effective bi-functional electrochemical activity of Ag₂O-PrO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ electrocatalysts towards OER and ORR

The oxygen reduction and evolution reaction (ORR/OER), are the keystones for many energy generating and storage devices, have influence with many electrocatalytic reactions. The sluggish kinetics of these reaction is a challenging situation on the surface of electrodes which imposes large over-potential and affects the energy output of fuel cells. Although the platinum-based electrode materials have excellent activity toward ORR/OER but their high cost limits commercialization of fuel cells. To deal with this problem, platinum-free electrode materials has aroused the considerations of scientists. The present work is proposed to study the oxygen reduction reaction and water oxidation on the surface of xAg₂O-yPrO₂/γ-Al₂O₃/Glassy-Carbon. The ORR was studied electrochemically via cyclic voltammetry on the surface of these nano-catalysts while the OER was investigated via cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry in alkaline media. The mechanism of ORR on catalysts surface was enquired and the results indicate that ORR followed two electrons pathway in case of 10PrO₂/γ-Al₂O₃/Glassy-Carbon while four electrons reduction pathway is identified on surface of others catalysts which divulged that addition of silver with praseodymium shifted the mechanism from 2e⁻ to 4e⁻ pathway. The electrocatalysts featured the stability during multiple scans and no corrosion of electrode in OER/ORR is observed. Different kinetic parameters for both reactions are determined which affirmed that both ORR and OER on the active surface of catalysts is irreversible and diffusion controlled. 4Ag₂O-6PrO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ is indicated to be proficient electro-catalyst among other members of the series, having greater value of mass transport and diffusion coefficients. The bi-functionality of all electrocatalysts are verified by their electrochemical responses in alkaline medium. The catalytic reduction of oxygen and oxidation of water by these electro-catalysts imitates their potential as electrode material in batteries and unitized regenerative fuel cells (URFC) technology for energy production as substitute of platinum electrode.