Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies

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Enhanced borohydride oxidation kinetics with Au@MOF-808 nanocomposite electrocatalysts with ultra-low Au loading

Publication . Belhaj, Ines; Becker, J. Alexander; Viana, Alexandre M.; Gusmão, Filipe M. B.; Chaves, Miguel; Pereira, Eulália; Sljukic, Biljana; Balula, Salete S.; Silva, Luis Cunha; Santos, Diogo M. F.

ABSTRACT: The highly stable metal-organic framework (MOF) composed of[Zr6O4(mu 3-OH)4(OH)6(H2O)6(BTC)2]& sdot;nH2O units (MOF-808) was modified by incorporating gold (Au) nanoparticles and functional groups to enhance electrocatalytic activity for the borohydride oxidation reaction (BOR). Three composite materials (Au@MOF-808, Au@MOF-808-NH2, and Au@MOF-808-SH) were prepared by the incorporation of Au in structurally related MOFs, MOF-808, MOF-808-NH2, and MOF-808-SH, respectively. These composite materials were evaluated as anodic electrocatalysts for BOR in alkaline media using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Among the prepared materials, Au@MOF-808-NH2 exhibited the highest BOR activity, with an apparent activation energy of 15.3 kJ mol-1, a reaction order of 0.6, an anodic charge transfer coefficient of 0.63, and a number of exchanged electrons of 4.4. The latter was significantly below the theoretical eight-electron value, indicating the presence of alternative reaction pathways. Notably, this material achieved a high mass-specific BOR peak current of 4.23 A mu gAu-1, demonstrating outstanding electrocatalytic efficiency despite the ultralow noble metal loading. These results underscore the potential of Au@MOF-808-NH2 as a cost-effective and scalable anodic electrocatalyst for high-performance direct borohydride fuel cells.

2026-02Artigo de investigação

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Palavras-chave

Physics of Quantum Materials and Technologies,Advanced Materials for Energy,New Materials/Processes for Health and Environment,Physics and Technology of Sensing, Exact and natural sciences

Entidade financiadora

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P.

Programa de financiamento

Concurso para Atribuição do Estatuto e Financiamento de Laboratórios Associados (LA)

Número da atribuição

LA/P/0095/2020