Improvement of H$_2$O$_2$ electrogeneration using a Vulcan XC72 carbon-based electrocatalyst modified with Ce-doped Nb$_2$O$_5$

Abstract

The use of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for in-situ production of H$_2$O$_2$ is an attractive alternative to replace the methods based on anthraquinone oxidation. This study investigates the modification of Vulcan XC72 carbon with Ce-doped Nb$_2$O$_5$ in different molar proportions and its application as electrocatalysts in the ORR. One performed the characterization of the electrocatalysts using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, contact angle measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Subsequently, the electrocatalysts were analyzed for the ORR and the Nb$_2$O$_5$ doped with 0.5% Ce showing the highest electrocatalytic response. This electrocatalyst was also employed as a gas diffusion electrode and exhibited more significant H$_2$O$_2$ production at all potentials than the Vulcan XC72 carbon modified solely with Nb$_2$O$_5$. At the applied potentials of -1.3 V and -1.9 V, it produced 105% and 86% more H$_2$O$_2$, respectively, than the Vulcan XC72 carbon modified only with Nb$_2$O$_5$. These results can be attributed to the doping of Nb$_2$O$_5$ with 0.5% Ce, which induces local distortions in the crystal lattice of Nb$_2$O$_5$ due to the difference in ionic radius between Nb$^{5+}$ and Ce$^{3+}$, which combined with increased hydrophilicity and wetting properties, may have facilitated electron transfer and O$_2$ transport, favoring the ORR.