An efficient WN catalyst nitrogenized from morphology-controllable WO3 for oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract Tungsten oxide (WO3) as precursor was prepared by one-step hydrothermal method and then nitrogenized under ammonia atmosphere to obtain tungsten nitride (WN) electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Different morphological structures such as rod-like, needle-like and urchin-like of WO3 were carried out by adding morphology control agents and adjusting hydrothermal time. WN catalyst from needle-like WO3 with minimum section diameter emerged outstanding ORR performance (rapid kinetics of oxygen reduction and approach to four-electron reaction) for its nanoscale particles, low agglomeration and nitrogen doping. The low-cost WN possessed fine durability and better methanol resistance compared to commercial Pt/C, which were also crucial issues in fuel cells.