Nanocrystal Bismuth Telluride Electrocatalysts for Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction

Non-precious metal-based bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) catalysts were synthesized using a solvothermal method at different tempera. tures. The morphology, composition and structure of the resulting catalysts were subsequently characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD and XPS analysis. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) properties of the catalysts were studied by electrochemical testing. The 150 degrees C Bi2Te3 sample exhibited excellent electrocatalytic ORR activity, almost four-electron (n = 3.8) ORR pathway selectivity in an alkaline aqueous solution, and excellent methanol tolerance. This is due to the exposure of the (0 0 6) planes combined with the van der Waals force (the force between (0 0 6) planes). Novel Bi2Te3 nanocrystals with highly efficient ORR activity could be applied to next-generation methanol alkaline fuel cells. (C) 2015 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.