Impact of acrylonitrile poisoning on oxygen reduction reaction at Pt/C catalysts

This study addresses the poisoning effect of acrylonitrile (AcN) on the catalytic activity of a Pt/C catalyst modified GC disk electrode toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in O2-saturated 0.1 m HClO4 solution. A significant retarding effect of AcN on the catalytic performance of the Pt/C catalyst toward the ORR is observed. For instance, the presence of 1 ppm AcN in solution causes a cathodic shift of the half-wave potential of the ORR by ca. 85 mV with the formation of hydrogen peroxide (2-electron reduction product of O2). Similar Tafel slopes (close to −68 mV dec−1) are obtained at the unpoisoned and the poisoned Pt/C catalysts at low current density region. Whereas, a larger Tafel slope (ca. −228 mV dec−1) is observed at the poisoned catalyst than that obtained at the unpoisoned Pt/C catalyst (ca. −128 mV dec−1) at high current density region. The adsorption of AcN on the surface of the Pt/C is believed to alter its work function (Φ) in such a way that deteriorates its catalytic activity. The recovery of the performance of the Pt/C catalyst is achieved by employing a few potential cycles between the onset potentials of the hydrogen and the oxygen evolution reactions.

► The influence of acrylonitrile (AcN) on the ORR at a Pt/C catalyst is investigated.
► A few ppm of AcN shifts the onset potential of the ORR and produces more H2O2.
► AcN blocks the active sites and affects the work function of the Pt/C.
► The poisoned Pt/C is recovered via a few CV cycles.