Effect of caustic treatment of reduced graphene oxide on its structure and performance toward ORR

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) plays an important role in electrochemical devices such as fuel cells, metal-air batteries, and advanced chlor-alkali cells [1]. Currently due to sluggish kinetics ofORR, notable studies for achievement of active and durable electrocatalysts were done [2]. During last decade, graphene-based electrocatalysts demonstrated remarkable performance toward ORR [3]. In synthesis of graphene-based electrocatalysts, corrosive chemicals have beenused for pH control or as treatment agents. In the present work, the effect of caustic on the structure and performance of reduced graphene oxide was investigated by using Raman, FTIR, XRD, and voltammetry techniques. The results revealed that caustic treatment introduced some defects in the graphene planes. These defects might play as active sites to promote ORR activity

Keywords:

Fuel cells , Electrocatalyst , Oxygen Reduction Reaction , Graphene , Caustic Treatment