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Title Giving New Life to Waste Cigarette Butts: Transformation into Platinum Group Metal-Free Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Acid, Neutral and Alkaline Environment
ID_Doc 22672
Authors Testa, D; Zuccante, G; Muhyuddin, M; Landone, R; Scommegna, A; Lorenzi, R; Acciarri, M; Petri, E; Soavi, F; Poggini, L; Capozzoli, L; Lavacchi, A; Lamanna, N; Franzetti, A; Zoia, L; Santoro, C
Title Giving New Life to Waste Cigarette Butts: Transformation into Platinum Group Metal-Free Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Acid, Neutral and Alkaline Environment
Year 2023
Published Catalysts, 13.0, 3
DOI 10.3390/catal13030635
Abstract Following the core theme of a circular economy, a novel strategy to upcycle cigarette butt waste into platinum group metal (PGM)-free metal nitrogen carbon (M-N-C) electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is presented. The experimental route was composed of (i) the transformation of the powdered cigarette butts into carbonaceous char via pyrolysis at 450 degrees C, 600 degrees C, 750 degrees C and 900 degrees C, (ii) the porosity activation with KOH and (iii) the functionalization of the activated chars with iron (II) phthalocyanine (FePc). The electrochemical outcomes obtained by the rotating disk electrode (RRDE) technique revealed that the sample pyrolyzed at 450 degrees C (i.e., cig_450) outperformed the other counterparts with its highest onset (E-on) and half-wave potentials (E-1/2) and demonstrated nearly tetra-electronic ORR in acidic, neutral and alkaline electrolytes, all resulting from the optimal surface chemistry and textural properties.
Author Keywords waste cigarettes; char; PGM-free; oxygen reduction reaction; electrocatalysis
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000957453700001
WoS Category Chemistry, Physical
Research Area Chemistry
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