Nitrogen-Rich Manganese Oxynitrides with Enhanced Catalytic Activity in the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

摘要

The catalytic activity of manganese oxynitrides in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was investigated in alkaline solutions to clarify the effect of the incorporated nitrogen atoms on the ORR activity. These oxynitrides, with rock-saltlike structures with different nitrogen contents, were synthesized by reacting MnO, Mn2O3, or MnO2 with molten NaNH2 at 240-280 degrees C. The anion contents and the Mn valence states were determined by combustion analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis. An increase in the nitrogen content of rock-salt-based manganese oxynitrides increases the valence of the manganese ions and reinforces the catalytic activity for the ORR in 1m KOH solution. Nearly single-electron occupancy of the antibonding e(g) states and highly covalent Mn-N bonding thus enhance the ORR activity of nitrogen-rich manganese oxynitrides.