Synthesis and characterization of high performing Fe-N-C catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in Alkaline Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2018-01, Vol.375, p.214-221
• Main Authors: Hossen, Md Mosaddek, Artyushkova, Kateryna, Atanassov, Plamen, Serov, Alexey
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkaline fuel cell; Fe-N-C catalyst; H2/O2 fuel cell; Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR); PGM-Free catalyst
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.08.036

In this article, three different Fe-N-C oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts derived from different organic molecules i.e. Fe-NMG, Fe-NMP, Fe-MBZ have been synthesized, characterized by physical-chemical methods and studied in the reaction of oxygen reduction (ORR). It is found that Fe-NMG shows higher ORR performance than Fe-NMP and Fe-MBZ, by both rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) and fuel cell tests. From characterization and surface analysis, it can be explained that the presence of higher amount of surface oxides and pyridinic nitrogen is the main reason for better performance towards ORR in alkaline media. To achieve the highest performance in alkaline exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC), the optimization of catalyst layer composition using various concentrations of ionomer (Tokuyama, AS4) was performed. At the optimum cathode layer configuration utilizing Fe-NMG produces the peak power density of 218 mWcm−2, which is one of the highest values presented in the open literature. •PGM-free electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction.•Sacrificial Support Method.•Catalyst layer design.•Peak powder density in AEMFC MEA of 218 mW cm−2