DEVELOPMENT OF NON-PRECIOUS IRON-COBALT ALLOY CATALYST FOR ELECTROCATALYTIC REACTION

Author

Harsh Panchal, Pittsburg State UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-16-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Materials Science and Engineering (MMatSE)

Department

Physics

First Advisor

Dr. Ram K. Gupta, rgupta@pittstate.edu

Second Advisor

Dr. Tim Dawsey, tdawsey@pittstate.edu

Third Advisor

Dr. Serif Uran, suran@pittstate.edu

Keywords

clean energy, Hydrogen energy, water splitting, Oxygen reduction reaction, Synergistic effect, Fuel cell

Abstract

The development of a FeCo alloy catalyst with tunable Fe/Co ratios is examined to improve electrocatalytic performance in reactions like the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Many energy conversion devices, such as fuel cells, metal-air batteries, and water-splitting systems, depend on these interactions to function. These technologies have huge potential to meet the increasing need for hydrogen production and renewable energy sources worldwide, which are critical to attaining a sustainable energy future. When compared with noble metal-based catalysts, the FeCo alloy catalyst shows much higher catalytic activity, according to previous studies. Hydrothermal and pyrolysis techniques were used to synthesis alloy and characterized through diffraction and microscopic studies to confirm the formation of alloy and nitrogen-doped carbon structures. The alloy in the stoichiometry Fe_0.9Co_0.1-CNT performed exceptionally well in the electrocatalytic tests, low overpotentials of 247 mV and 71 mV for OER and HER, respectively at a current density of 10 mA/cm², and E_1/2 of 0.87 V vs. RHE for ORR process was notable. Meanwhile, the catalysts possessing moderate Fe concentration showed an improved electrocatalytic activity for all three reactions, whereas excessive Fe leads to a decrease in activity, particularly in HER and OER reactions. FeCo alloy with a precise concentration of Fe and Co in the NC/CNT structure improves the electrical characteristics of the catalyst and raises the density of active sites. As a result, ORR, OER, and HER exhibit increased reaction kinetics and faster electron transfer. The results indicate that the combination of NC/CNT materials with a balanced FeCo combination offers a high-performance, low-cost substitute for catalysts based on precious metals, with a significant advantage for the development of sustainable energy systems.

Recommended Citation

Panchal, Harsh, "DEVELOPMENT OF NON-PRECIOUS IRON-COBALT ALLOY CATALYST FOR ELECTROCATALYTIC REACTION" (2025). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 782.
https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/etd/782