Electrocatalytic activity of perovskite La1−xSrxMnO3 towards hydrogen peroxide reduction in alkaline medium

Perovskite-type series of compounds La1−xSrxMnO3 are synthesized by a sol–gel method using Chitosan as the gelling agent. Their catalytic activity for hydrogen peroxide electroreduction in 3.0 mol dm−3 KOH at room temperature is evaluated by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Effects of annealing temperature and the ratio of La to Sr of La1−xSrxMnO3 on their catalytic performance are investigated. Among this series of compounds, La0.4Sr0.6MnO3 calcined at 650 °C exhibits the highest activity, which is comparable with Co3O4. An aluminum–hydrogen peroxide semi-fuel cell using La0.4Sr0.6MnO3 as cathode catalyst achieves a peak power density of 170 mW cm−2 at 170 mA cm−2 and 1.0 V running on 0.6 mol dm−3 H2O2.