Peat-derived carbon-based non-platinum group metal type catalyst for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions

Abstract For the first time, a novel peat-derived carbon (PDC) was used to synthesize an active non-platinum group metal type catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The obtained catalyst exhibited a smaller specific surface area and was more graphitic compared to a catalyst synthesized identically but using carbide-derived carbon (CDC) instead of PDC. Due to the organic nature of the used peat, the PDC contained numerous additives. In 0.1 M KOH, both the PDC and CDC-based catalysts displayed ORR activity comparable to Pt/Vulcan. Additionally, equally high OER activities of 1.59 V vs RHE at 10 mA cm-2 were reached for both catalysts studied. Considering the remarkable bifunctional activity of the PDC-based catalyst, it can be concluded that PDC is an exceptionally promising carbon support material for ORR and OER catalysts.