Layered SiC Sheets: A Potential Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

• DOI: 10.1038/srep03821
• Publication Date: 2014-01-22T10:05:31Z
• Authors: P. Zhang; B. B. Xiao; X. L. Hou; Y. F. Zhu; Q. Jiang
• Keywords: CO poisoning

Abstract The large-scale practical application of fuel cells cannot come true if the high-priced Pt-based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) be replaced by other efficient, low-cost and stable electrodes. Here, based on density functional theory (DFT), we exploited potentials layered SiC sheets as a novel catalyst ORR. From our DFT results, it can predicted that exhibit excellent ORR catalytic activity without CO poisoning, while poisoning is major drawback in conventional catalysts. Furthermore, alkaline media has better than Pt(111) surface have potential metal-free cells.