Transition Metal Oxides (WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>) as Promoters and Hydrogen Adsorption Modulators in Pt/WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>-C Electrocatalyst for the Reduction of NOx

The electrocatalytic reduction of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide (NOx) remains a significant challenge due to the need for stable, efficient, and cost-effective materials. This study presents a novel support system for NOx reduction in alkaline media, composed of ZrO<sub>2</sub>-WO<...

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Main Authors: Claudia R. Santiago-Ramírez, Martha L. Hernández-Pichardo, Arturo Manzo-Robledo, Daniel A. Acuña-Leal, Miguel A. Gracia-Pinilla
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Electrochem
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3293/6/1/7
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author Claudia R. Santiago-Ramírez
Martha L. Hernández-Pichardo
Arturo Manzo-Robledo
Daniel A. Acuña-Leal
Miguel A. Gracia-Pinilla
author_facet Claudia R. Santiago-Ramírez
Martha L. Hernández-Pichardo
Arturo Manzo-Robledo
Daniel A. Acuña-Leal
Miguel A. Gracia-Pinilla
author_sort Claudia R. Santiago-Ramírez
collection DOAJ
description The electrocatalytic reduction of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide (NOx) remains a significant challenge due to the need for stable, efficient, and cost-effective materials. This study presents a novel support system for NOx reduction in alkaline media, composed of ZrO<sub>2</sub>-WO<sub>3</sub>-C (ZWC), synthesized via coprecipitation. Platinum nanoparticles (10 wt.%) were loaded onto ZWC and Vulcan carbon support, using similar methods for comparison. Comprehensive physicochemical and electrochemical analyses (N<sub>2</sub> physisorption, XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, and cyclic and linear voltammetry) revealed that PtZWC outperformed PtC and commercial PtEtek in NOx electrocatalysis. Notably, PtZWC exhibited the highest total electric charge for NOx reduction. At the same time, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was shifted to more negative cathodic potentials, indicating reduced hydrogen coverage and a modified dissociative Tafel mechanism on platinum. Additionally, the combination of WO<sub>3</sub> and ZrO<sub>2</sub> in ZWC enhanced electron transfer and suppressed HER by reducing NO and hydrogen atom adsorption competition. While the incorporation of WO<sub>3</sub> and ZrO<sub>2</sub> lowered the surface area to 96 m<sup>2</sup>/g, it significantly improved pore properties, facilitating better Pt nanoparticle dispersion (3.06 ± 0.85 nm, as confirmed by SEM and TEM). XRD analysis identified graphite and Pt phases, with monoclinic WO<sub>3</sub> broadening PtZWC peaks (20–25°). At the same time, XPS confirmed oxidation states of Pt, W, and Zr and tungsten-related oxygen vacancies, ensuring chemical stability and enhanced catalytic activity.
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spelling doaj-art-713cbb9574e144ec8acaf244dfd418d52025-08-20T03:43:15ZengMDPI AGElectrochem2673-32932025-03-0161710.3390/electrochem6010007Transition Metal Oxides (WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>) as Promoters and Hydrogen Adsorption Modulators in Pt/WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>-C Electrocatalyst for the Reduction of NOxClaudia R. Santiago-Ramírez0Martha L. Hernández-Pichardo1Arturo Manzo-Robledo2Daniel A. Acuña-Leal3Miguel A. Gracia-Pinilla4Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, MexicoLaboratorio de Investigación de Fisicoquímica y Materiales, Instituto Politécnico Nacional-ESIQIE, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Matteos (UPALM), Mexico City 07738, MexicoLaboratorio de Electroquímica y Corrosión, Instituto Politécnico Nacional-ESIQIE, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Matteos (UPALM), Mexico City 07738, MexicoFacultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, MexicoFacultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, MexicoThe electrocatalytic reduction of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide (NOx) remains a significant challenge due to the need for stable, efficient, and cost-effective materials. This study presents a novel support system for NOx reduction in alkaline media, composed of ZrO<sub>2</sub>-WO<sub>3</sub>-C (ZWC), synthesized via coprecipitation. Platinum nanoparticles (10 wt.%) were loaded onto ZWC and Vulcan carbon support, using similar methods for comparison. Comprehensive physicochemical and electrochemical analyses (N<sub>2</sub> physisorption, XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, and cyclic and linear voltammetry) revealed that PtZWC outperformed PtC and commercial PtEtek in NOx electrocatalysis. Notably, PtZWC exhibited the highest total electric charge for NOx reduction. At the same time, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was shifted to more negative cathodic potentials, indicating reduced hydrogen coverage and a modified dissociative Tafel mechanism on platinum. Additionally, the combination of WO<sub>3</sub> and ZrO<sub>2</sub> in ZWC enhanced electron transfer and suppressed HER by reducing NO and hydrogen atom adsorption competition. While the incorporation of WO<sub>3</sub> and ZrO<sub>2</sub> lowered the surface area to 96 m<sup>2</sup>/g, it significantly improved pore properties, facilitating better Pt nanoparticle dispersion (3.06 ± 0.85 nm, as confirmed by SEM and TEM). XRD analysis identified graphite and Pt phases, with monoclinic WO<sub>3</sub> broadening PtZWC peaks (20–25°). At the same time, XPS confirmed oxidation states of Pt, W, and Zr and tungsten-related oxygen vacancies, ensuring chemical stability and enhanced catalytic activity.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3293/6/1/7NOx reductionmetal-oxide catalysthydrogen evolution suppression
spellingShingle Claudia R. Santiago-Ramírez
Martha L. Hernández-Pichardo
Arturo Manzo-Robledo
Daniel A. Acuña-Leal
Miguel A. Gracia-Pinilla
Transition Metal Oxides (WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>) as Promoters and Hydrogen Adsorption Modulators in Pt/WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>-C Electrocatalyst for the Reduction of NOx
Electrochem
NOx reduction
metal-oxide catalyst
hydrogen evolution suppression
title Transition Metal Oxides (WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>) as Promoters and Hydrogen Adsorption Modulators in Pt/WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>-C Electrocatalyst for the Reduction of NOx
title_full Transition Metal Oxides (WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>) as Promoters and Hydrogen Adsorption Modulators in Pt/WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>-C Electrocatalyst for the Reduction of NOx
title_fullStr Transition Metal Oxides (WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>) as Promoters and Hydrogen Adsorption Modulators in Pt/WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>-C Electrocatalyst for the Reduction of NOx
title_full_unstemmed Transition Metal Oxides (WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>) as Promoters and Hydrogen Adsorption Modulators in Pt/WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>-C Electrocatalyst for the Reduction of NOx
title_short Transition Metal Oxides (WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>) as Promoters and Hydrogen Adsorption Modulators in Pt/WO<sub>3</sub>-ZrO<sub>2</sub>-C Electrocatalyst for the Reduction of NOx
title_sort transition metal oxides wo sub 3 sub zro sub 2 sub as promoters and hydrogen adsorption modulators in pt wo sub 3 sub zro sub 2 sub c electrocatalyst for the reduction of nox
topic NOx reduction
metal-oxide catalyst
hydrogen evolution suppression
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3293/6/1/7
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