Mesoporous titanium and niobium nitrides as conductive and stable electrocatalyst supports in acid environments. Issue 53 (2nd June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fritz, Kevin E.; Beaucage, Peter A.; Matsuoka, Fumiaki; Wiesner, Ulrich; Suntivich, Jin
• Is Part Of: Chemical communications. Volume 53:Issue 53(2017)
• Page Start: 7250
• Page End: 7253
• Publication Date: 2017-06-02
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1039/c7cc03232c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-7345

Abstract

Abstract : Mesoporous TiN and NbN synthesized using a block copolymer self-assembly are evaluated for catalyst support applications in acid environments. Abstract : The stability of carbon-based catalyst supports represents one of the biggest challenges for the commercialisation of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Metal nitrides are an attractive alternative to carbon-based supports, owing to their high bulk conductivity and acid stability. We report the electrochemical stability evaluation of high-surface-area metal nitrides in acidic electrolytes. Three-dimensional mesoporous titanium (TiN) and niobium nitride (NbN) thin films were prepared using block copolymer self-assembly and were evaluated without using any conductive carbon additives or a carbon-based substrate. Both TiN and NbN are stable and maintain conductivity in acidic electrolytes up to at least 0.85 V (NbN) and 1.4 V (TiN) vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) after 2000 cycles. We also deposited platinum on the TiN films and demonstrate the expected cyclic voltammogram features, indicating the nitride's utility as a catalyst support.