Yttrium-based Double Perovskite Nanorods for Electrocatalysis

Herein, we investigate the effect of the chemical composition of double perovskite nanorods on their versatile electrocatalytic activity not only as supports for the oxidation of small organic molecules but also as catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. Specifically, Y2CoMnO6 and Y2NiMnO6 nanorods with average diameters of 300 nm were prepared by a two-step hydrothermal method, in which the individual effects of synthetic parameters, such as the pH, annealing temperature, and precursor ratios on both the composition and morphology, were systematically investigated. When used as supports for Pt nanoparticles, Y2CoMnO6/Pt catalysts exhibited an electrocatalytic activity for the methanol oxidation reaction, which is 2.1 and 1.3 times higher than that measured for commercial Pt/C and Y2NiMnO6/Pt, respectively. Similarly, the Co-based catalyst support material displayed an ethanol oxidation activity, which is 2.3 times higher than both Pt/C and Y2NiMnO6/Pt. This clear enhancement in the activity for Y2CoMnO6 can largely be attributed to strong metal–support interactions, as evidenced by a downshift in the binding energy of the Pt 4f bands, measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which is often correlated not only with a downshift in the d-band center but also to a decreased adsorption of poisoning adsorbates. Moreover, when used as catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction, Y2CoMnO6 displayed a much greater activity as compared with Y2NiMnO6. This behavior can largely be attributed not only to a preponderance of comparatively more favorable oxidation states and electronic configurations but also to the formation of an active layer on the surface of the Y2CoMnO6 catalyst, which collectively gives rise to improved performance metrics and greater stability as compared with both IrO2 and Y2NiMnO6. Overall, these results highlight the importance of both the chemical composition and the electronic structure of double perovskites, especially when utilized in multifunctional roles as either supports or catalysts.