Rational design of FeS_(2)microspheres as high-performance catalyst for electrooxidation of hydrazine

摘要

Inspired by the relatively recognized performance of transition metal sulfides in the oxidation of hydrazine,the catalytic properties of FeS_(2) and Fe_(3)S_(4) are compared via the density functional theory calculations.Due to the different coordination numbers of iron-sulfur,the free energies of the dehydrogenation steps on FeS_(2) are far less than those on Fe_(3)S_(4),which led to the much better catalytic performance of FeS_(2).Accordingly,FeS_(2) microspheres are rationally proposed as a more efficient electrocatalyst for hydrazine oxidation,which is then prepared by a facile one-step hydrothermal strategy.Such FeS_(2)microspheres show great activity for hydrazine oxidation with an onset oxidation potential of 0.22 V vs.reversible hydrogen electrode,and a peak current density of 16 m A cm^(-2).Meanwhile,stability and high faradaic efficiency(3.5e-/N_(2)H_(4))is obtained for hydrazine oxidation to N_(2).