2D-Hexagonal Boron Nitride Screen-Printed Bulk-Modified Electrochemical Platforms Explored towards Oxygen Reduction Reactions

Abstract

A low-cost, scalable and reproducible approach for the mass production of screen-printed electrode (SPE) platforms that have varying percentage mass incorporations of 2D hexagonal boron nitride (2D-hBN) (2D-hBN/SPEs) is demonstrated herein. These novel 2D-hBN/SPEs are explored as a potential metal-free electrocatalysts towards oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) within acidic media where their performance is evaluated. A 5% mass incorporation of 2D-hBN into the SPEs resulted in the most beneficial ORR catalysis, reducing the ORR onset potential by ca. 200 mV in comparison to bare/unmodified SPEs. Furthermore, an increase in the achievable current of 83% is also exhibited upon the utilisation of a 2D-hBN/SPE in comparison to its unmodified equivalent. The screen-printed fabrication approach replaces the less-reproducible and time-consuming drop-casting technique of 2D-hBN and provides an alternative approach for the large-scale manufacture of novel electrode platforms that can be utilised in a variety of applications.