Ternary non-noble metal chalcogenide (W–Co–Se) as electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

In this study, a catalyst based on a novel ternary non-noble metal chalcogenide, W–Co–Se, was synthesized for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic medium. The non-noble metal chalcogenide catalyst was electrochemically stable in the potential range of 0.05–0.8 V versus NHE in 0.5 M H2SO4 aqueous solution. This catalyst demonstrated significant catalytic activity towards the ORR, showing the ORR onset potential at 0.755 V versus NHE in 0.5 M H2SO4 at 25 °C. Such high activity might be attributed to the electronic structure of non-noble metals modified by chalcogen.