NiCr (x) Fe2-x O-4 as cathode materials for electrochemical reduction of NO (x)

Solid solutions of spinel-type oxides with the composition NiCr x Fe2-x O4 (x = 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0) were prepared with the glycine–nitrate combustion synthesis. Four-point DC resistivity measurements show an increase in the conductivity as more Cr is introduced into the structure, whereas dilatometer measurements show that the linear thermal expansion decreases with increasing Cr content. The oxides were used as electrode materials in a pseudo-three-electrode setup in the temperature range of 300–600 °C. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the electrochemical behavior in 1% NO, 1% NO2, and 10% O2. NiCr2O4 shows high activity in NO and NO2 relative to O2 and can therefore be considered as a possible electrode material. Peaks were detected in the voltammograms recorded on NiCr2O4 in 1% NO. The origin of the peaks seems to be related to the oxidation of Cr or the formation of nitrogen-containing species formed on the surface of the electrode.