Electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction on iron phthalocyanine-modified carbide-derived carbon/carbon nanotube composite electrocatalysts

• Published in: Electrochimica acta Vol. 334; p. 135575
• Main Authors: Praats, Reio, Käärik, Maike, Kikas, Arvo, Kisand, Vambola, Aruväli, Jaan, Paiste, Päärn, Merisalu, Maido, Leis, Jaan, Sammelselg, Väino, Zagal, José H., Holdcroft, Steven, Nakashima, Naotoshi, Tammeveski, Kaido
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 20.02.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Alkaline membrane fuel cell; Anion exchanging; Atomic beam spectroscopy; Carbide-derived carbon; Carbides; Carbon; Carbon nanotubes; Catalysts; Composite materials; Electrocatalysis; Electrocatalysts; Emission analysis; Fuel cells; Heat exchange; Heat treatment; Iron; Iron phthalocyanine; Maximum power density; Metal phthalocyanines; Microwave plasmas; Morphology; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Nuclear fuels; Oxygen reduction; Oxygen reduction reactions; Photoelectrons; Porosity; Spectroscopic analysis; Spectrum analysis; Carbon nanotubes; Oxygen reduction; Electrocatalysis; Iron phthalocyanine; Alkaline membrane fuel cell; Carbide-derived carbon
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.135575

We have investigated the electrocatalytic activity of pyrolysed iron phthalocyanine (FePc) modified carbide-derived carbon/multi-walled carbon nanotube (CDC/CNT) composite materials for the electroreduction of O2. For comparison, FePc supported on Ketjenblack (KB/FePc) and heat-treated at 800 °C was also investigated. All materials containing a higher weight ratio of the CNTs exhibit higher electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in both alkaline and acidic media. The surface morphology, structure, elemental composition and porosity of the electrocatalysts were studied with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption analysis. Anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC) tests were performed with the most active FePc modified CDC/CNT and KB/FePc catalysts. Excellent AEMFC performance was observed using these FePc derived cathode catalysts (maximum power density of 186 mW cm−2 for KB/FePc). •FePc modified carbide-derived carbon/carbon nanotube composite catalysts are studied.•CDC/CNT/FePc catalysts show high electrocatalytic activity for ORR in alkaline media.•Excellent AEMFC performance was observed using CDC/CNT/FePc cathode catalysts.