Abstract In this paper, the effect of Zn incorporation into the lattice of Fe3C, CoCx and Ni3C is investigated. It is discovered that the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of Fe3C, CoCx and Ni3C can be enhanced through Zn incorporation into their lattices. This results in the formation of Co3ZnC, Fe3ZnC and Ni3ZnC electrocatalysts. The catalysts show appreciable ORR performances in O2-saturated 0.1 M KOH, with Fe3ZnC and Co3ZnC exhibit the most positive onset potential (0.92 V) and half-wave potential (0.8 V). The Fe3ZnC electrocatalyst exhibits the highest current density (5.3 mA cm−2) at low electrode potential (0.2−0.6 V); comparable to that of commercial Pt/C. Both Fe3ZnC and Co3ZnC show activity retention of 99.9 % for ∼15 h, and offer good methanol tolerance. It indicates their superior performance. This work shows a rather interesting and rather simple chemical strategy to enhance the ORR activity of binary metal carbides for fuel applications.

中文翻译：

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抗钙钛矿金属碳化物：用于碱性溶液中氧还原的新型电催化剂系列

摘要 本文研究了Zn 掺入Fe3C、CoCx 和Ni3C 的晶格中的影响。研究发现，Fe3C、CoCx 和 Ni3C 的氧还原反应 (ORR) 可以通过将 Zn 结合到它们的晶格中来增强。这导致 Co3ZnC、Fe3ZnC 和 Ni3ZnC 电催化剂的形成。该催化剂在 O2 饱和的 0.1 M KOH 中表现出可观的 ORR 性能，其中 Fe3ZnC 和 Co3ZnC 表现出最正的起始电位 (0.92 V) 和半波电位 (0.8 V)。Fe3ZnC 电催化剂在低电极电位 (0.2-0.6 V) 下表现出最高的电流密度 (5.3 mA cm-2)；可与商业 Pt/C 相媲美。Fe3ZnC 和 Co3ZnC 在约 15 小时内均显示出 99.9% 的活性保留，并提供良好的甲醇耐受性。这表明它们的卓越性能。