Influence of CeO2MnOx heterostructure on Hydrogen Peroxide Electrogeneration on Carbon-Based Catalysts

In this study, CeO2 and CeO2MnOx nanoparticles were synthesized and supported on Vulcan XC-72 carbon at varying loadings (1, 3, and 5%), aiming to assess the lowest metal loading and high H2O2 electrosynthesis. Physicochemical characterizations confirmed the successful formation of CeO2 nanowires and the effectiveness of the MnOx surface modification.

XRD, TEM, XPS, EPR, and contact angle analyses revealed that CeO2 loading increased surface hydrophilicity due to oxygenated functional groups, thereby favoring electrochemical activity. On the other hand, all CeO2MnOx loadings were statistically equal to Vulcan XC-72 in terms of contact angle. Electrochemical evaluations using a rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) demonstrated enhanced ORR activity and high H2O2 selectivity for the 1% CeO2MnOx/C and 3% CeO2/C catalysts, achieving up to 90% selectivity and elevated ring currents.