Pyrolyzed Fe–N–C Composite as an Efficient Non-precious Metal Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Acidic Medium

Aimed at developing a highly active and stable non-precious metal catalyst (NPMC) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), a novel NPMC was prepared by pyrolyzing a composite of carbon-supported Fe-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Fe–g-C3N4@C) above...

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Published in:ACS catalysis 2014-11, Vol.4 (11), p.3928-3936
Main Authors: Wang, Mei-Qing, Yang, Wei-Hua, Wang, Hong-Hui, Chen, Chi, Zhou, Zhi-You, Sun, Shi-Gang
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Aimed at developing a highly active and stable non-precious metal catalyst (NPMC) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), a novel NPMC was prepared by pyrolyzing a composite of carbon-supported Fe-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Fe–g-C3N4@C) above 700 °C. In this paper, the influence of the pyrolysis temperature and Fe content on ORR performance was investigated. Rotating disk electrode (RDE) and rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) studies reveal that, with a half-wave potential of 0.75 V [versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)] and a H2O2 yield of 2.6% at 0.4 V, the as-synthesized catalyst heat-treated at 750 °C with a Fe salt/dicyandiamide (DCD) mass ratio of 10% displays the optimal ORR activity and selectivity. Furthermore, the pyrolyzed Fe–N–C composite exhibits superior durability in comparison to that of commercial 20 wt % Pt/C in acidic medium, making it a good candidate for an ORR electrocatalyst in PEMFCs.
ISSN:2155-5435
2155-5435
DOI:10.1021/cs500673k