Electronic-level interactions of tungsten oxide with unsupported Se/Ru electrocatalytic nanoparticles

Se/Ru nanoparticles – a potent non-platinum catalyst towards oxygen reduction reaction – were modified by hydrated WO3 and investigated using the rotating disk/ring electrode methods and by synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The modification resulted in an enhanced catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Our data indicate that the oxygen reduction current starts ca. 70 mV more positive and formation of undesirable hydrogen peroxide has significantly decreased following the modification of Se/Ru with WO3. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that WO3 interacts electronically with Se/Ru as the W 4f and Se 3d line-shapes change. We therefore conclude that the electronic interactions between Se/Ru and WO3 are primarily responsible for the increase in activity and selectivity of the WO3-modified Se/Ru towards ORR.