Unveiling the Catalytic Origin of Nanocrystalline Yttrium Ruthenate Pyrochlore as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Zn-Air Batteries.

Title Unveiling the Catalytic Origin of Nanocrystalline Yttrium Ruthenate Pyrochlore as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Zn-Air Batteries.
Authors J. Park; M. Park; G. Nam; M.Gyu Kim; J. Cho
Journal Nano Lett
DOI 10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b01812
Abstract

Zn-air batteries suffer from the slow kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and/or oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Thus, the bifunctional electrocatalysts are required for the practical application of rechargeable Zn-air batteries. In terms of the catalytic activity and structural stability, pyrochlore oxides (A2[B2-xAx]O7-y) have emerged as promising candidates. However, a limited use of A-site cations (e.g., lead or bismuth cations) of reported pyrochlore catalysts have hampered broad understanding of their catalytic effect and structure. More seriously, the catalytic origin of the pyrochlore structure was not clearly revealed yet. Here, we report the new nanocrystalline yttrium ruthenate (Y2[Ru2-xYx]O7-y) with pyrochlore structure. The prepared pyrochlore oxide demonstrates comparable catalytic activities in both ORR and OER, compared to that of previously reported metal oxide-based catalysts such as perovskite oxides. Notably, we first find that the catalytic activity of the Y2[Ru2-xYx]O7-y is associated with the oxidations and corresponding changes of geometric local structures of yttrium and ruthenium ions during electrocatalysis, which were investigated by in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in real-time. Zn-air batteries using the prepared pyrochlore oxide achieve highly enhanced charge and discharge performance with a stable potential retention for 200 cycles.

Citation J. Park; M. Park; G. Nam; M.Gyu Kim; J. Cho.Unveiling the Catalytic Origin of Nanocrystalline Yttrium Ruthenate Pyrochlore as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Zn-Air Batteries.. Nano Lett. 2017. doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b01812

Related Elements

Ruthenium

See more Ruthenium products. Ruthenium (atomic symbol: Ru, atomic number: 44) is a Block D, Group 8, Period 5 element with an atomic weight of 101.07. Ruthenium Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of ruthenium's shells is [2, 8, 18, 15, 1] and its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d7 5s1. The ruthenium atom has a radius of 134 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 207 pm. Ruthenium was discovered by Jędrzej Śniadecki in 1807. It was first recognized as a distinct element by Karl Ernst Claus in 1844. Elemental RutheniumIn its elemental form, ruthenium has a silvery white metallic appearance. Ruthenium is a rare transition metal belonging to the platinum group of metals. It is found in pentlandite, pyroxenite, and platinum group metal ores. The name Ruthenium originates from the Latin word "Ruthenia," meaning Russia.

Yttrium

See more Yttrium products. Yttrium (atomic symbol: Y, atomic number: 39) is a Block D, Group 3, Period 5 element with an atomic weight of 88.90585. Yttrium Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of yttrium's shells is [2, 8, 18, 9, 2] and its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d1 5s2. The yttrium atom has a radius of 180 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 219 pm. Yttrium was discovered by Johann Gadolin in 1794 and first isolated by Carl Gustav Mosander in 1840. In its elemental form, Yttrium has a silvery white metallic appearance. Yttrium has the highest thermodynamic affinity for oxygen of any element. Elemental YttriumYttrium is not found in nature as a free element and is almost always found combined with the lanthanides in rare earth minerals. While not part of the rare earth series, it resembles the heavy rare earths which are sometimes referred to as the "yttrics" for this reason. Another unique characteristic derives from its ability to form crystals with useful properties. The name yttrium originated from a Swedish village near Vaxholm called Yttbery where it was discovered.

Zinc

See more Zinc products. Zinc (atomic symbol: Zn, atomic number: 30) is a Block D, Group 12, Period 4 element with an atomic weight of 65.38. The number of electrons in each of zinc's shells is 2, 8, 18, 2, and its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d10 4s2. Zinc Bohr ModelThe zinc atom has a radius of 134 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 210 pm. Zinc was discovered by Indian metallurgists prior to 1000 BC and first recognized as a unique element by Rasaratna Samuccaya in 800. Zinc was first isolated by Andreas Marggraf in 1746. In its elemental form, zinc has a silver-gray appearance. It is brittle at ordinary temperatures but malleable at 100 °C to 150 °C.Elemental Zinc It is a fair conductor of electricity, and burns in air at high red producing white clouds of the oxide. Zinc is mined from sulfidic ore deposits. It is the 24th most abundant element in the earth's crust and the fourth most common metal in use (after iron, aluminum, and copper). The name zinc originates from the German word "zin," meaning tin.

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