Highly active bimetallic CuFe–N–C electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media

• Published in: Journal of industrial and engineering chemistry (Seoul, Korea) Vol. 71; pp. 234 - 241
• Main Authors: Kang, Yun Sik, Heo, Yoonhye, Jung, Jae Young, Sohn, Yeonsun, Lee, Soo-Hyoung, Jang, Jue-Hyuk, Kim, Pil, Yoo, Sung Jong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 25.03.2019; 한국공업화학회
• Subjects: Anion exchange membrane fuel cells; Oxygen reduction reaction; Polyaniline; Transition metal-nitrogen-carbon catalyst; 화학공학; Polyaniline; Anion exchange membrane fuel cells; Transition metal-nitrogen-carbon catalyst; Oxygen reduction reaction
• ISSN: 1226-086X; 1876-794X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2018.11.031

[Display omitted] •CuFe–N–C catalyst was prepared by annealing metal precursors-adsorbed polyaniline.•CuFe–N–C catalysts showed excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity.•Interaction between Cu and Fe results in higher N content and active N species.•Single cell with CuFe–N–C catalyst exhibited much enhanced performance than others. Here, we prepare a bimetallic CuFe–N–C catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) by annealing metal precursor-adsorbed polyaniline under an NH3 gas atmosphere at high temperature. The catalyst exhibits higher ORR activity and durability than Pt/C and other monometallic Cu (Fe)–N–C catalysts in 0.1M KOH. The remarkable catalytic activity of the CuFe–N–C catalyst is due to the interaction between Cu and Fe, which facilitates ORR and also results in higher contents of total N and active N species. In the same vein, single cell using the CuFe–N–C catalyst exhibits greatly enhanced performance compared to those using other catalysts.