Synthesis of tungsten carbide nanocrystals and their electrochemical properties

doi:10.1007/s11458-009-0030-y

Front Chem Chin

2009, Vol. 4

Issue (2) : 127-131 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11458-009-0030-y

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Synthesis of tungsten carbide nanocrystals and their electrochemical properties

Jianghua ZENG, Dingsheng YUAN(

), Yingliang LIU, Jingxing CHEN, Sanxiang TAN

Department of Chemistry and Institute of Nanochemistry, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China

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Abstract

Tungsten carbide (WC) nanocrystals have been prepared by a solvothermal method with Mg as the reductant and WO₃ and anhydrous ethanol as the precursors. The effects of time and temperature on the synthesis of WC were investigated and a probable formation mechanism was discussed. The obtained WC nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and electrochemical methods. Hexagonal close-packed WC was successfully synthesized when the temperature was as low as 500°C. The content of carbon was more than that of W, indicating that the composition of the treated sample was C and WC only. The diameters of WC nanocrystals were ranged from 40 nm to 70 nm and the nanocrystals were dispersed on carbon films. The electrochemical measurements reveal that WC nanocrystals obviously promote Pt/C electrocatalytic ability for the oxygen reduction reaction.

Keywords solvothermal method nanocrystal tungsten carbide electrocatalysis oxygen reduction reaction

Corresponding Author(s): YUAN Dingsheng,Email:tydsh@jnu.edu.cn

Issue Date: 05 June 2009

Cite this article:

Jianghua ZENG,Dingsheng YUAN,Yingliang LIU, et al. Synthesis of tungsten carbide nanocrystals and their electrochemical properties[J]. Front Chem Chin, 2009, 4(2): 127-131.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcc/EN/10.1007/s11458-009-0030-y
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcc/EN/Y2009/V4/I2/127

Fig.1 XRD patterns of WC nanocrystals prepared by heating at different temperatures for 15 h.
(1) 500°C, (2) 550°C, (3) 600°C, (4) 650°C

Fig.2 XRD patterns of the WC nanocrystals prepared by heating at 600°C for different time
(1) 8 h, (2) 12 h, (3) 15 h

Fig.3 XRD patterns of the WC nanocrystals prepared by heating at 600°C for 15 h before (1) and after (2) the acid and alkali treatment

Fig.4 TEM image (a) and EDS spectrum (b) of WC synthesized by heating at 600°C for 15 h

Fig.5 Cyclic voltammogram of WC in 0.5 mol/L HSO at 298 K
Scan rate: 50 mV/s; WC loading: 40 μg

Fig.6 Oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) of the different electrodes in 0.5 mol/L HSO at 298 K
Scan rate: 50 mV/s; (1) WC loading: 40 μg, (2) Pt loading: 40 μg, (3) Pt-WC: 40 μg, 20 μg Pt+20 μg WC

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