Bhuvanendran, NRavichandran, SKandasamy, S2021-06-152021-06-152021Bhuvanendran, N. et al. (2021). Spindle-shaped CeO2/biochar carbon with oxygen-vacancy as an effective and highly durable electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46(2), 2128-21420360319910.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.10.115http://hdl.handle.net/10566/6283Highly durable and active CeO2 on biochar carbon (CeO2/BC) derived from Spirulina platensis microalgae and synthesized by simple one-pot hydrothermal treatment and further activated through pyrolysis approach. A spindle-shaped morphology of CeO2 with predominant (111) facet was evidently observed from X-ray diffraction patterns and electron microscopy images. The structural features such as high specific surface area, defect-rich carbon with N & P atoms, increased oxygen vacancy and π-electron transfer play an important role for the improved oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The considerable amount of Ce3+ and higher proportion of pyridinic N and graphitic N species are substantially contributed to the superior ORR performance of CeO2/BC700, which surpasses other similar catalysts and competing with Pt/C. Hence, the significant kinetic ORR parameters and extended stability (no loss after 5000 potential cycles) of the CeO2/BC700 catalysts provides the promising insight to develop the rare-earth metal oxide nanostructures as a possible candidate for ORR in alkaline medium.enOxygen reduction reactionP-CarbonSpindle-shaped CeO2Spirulina platensis microalgaeStabilityArticle