Issue 35, 2023

New insights on Fe–N–C catalyst structure from valence-to-core X-ray emission and absorption spectroscopies

Abstract

Various spectroscopic techniques have been extensively applied, both ex situ and in situ/operando, to study the structure of the Fe–N–C group of catalysts, promising materials for fuel cell applications. Valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopy (VtC XES), a powerful technique to monitor the changes in iron electronic state, is still novel for Fe–N–C characterization. In this work, we analyze the VtC XES spectra obtained on pyrolyzed Fe–N–C catalyst before and after accelerated stress tests in alkaline electrolyte under argon and oxygen atmospheres. By combining both experimental and theoretical spectra, we propose changes in the Fe local geometry after the stress protocols. The observed findings serve as an important contribution to the overall understanding of the FeNxCy active sites structures and demonstrate the capabilities of the VtC spectroscopy towards transition metal-based electrochemical systems analysis.

Graphical abstract: New insights on Fe–N–C catalyst structure from valence-to-core X-ray emission and absorption spectroscopies

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
25 شوال 1444
Accepted
27 محرم 1445
First published
29 محرم 1445

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023,11, 18862-18871

New insights on Fe–N–C catalyst structure from valence-to-core X-ray emission and absorption spectroscopies

V. A. Saveleva, M. Retegan, K. Kumar, F. Maillard and P. Glatzel, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023, 11, 18862 DOI: 10.1039/D3TA02878J

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements