Synthesis of self-supported non-precious metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction with preserved nanostructures from the polyaniline nanofiber precursor

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 225; pp. 129 - 136
• Main Authors: Hu, Yang, Zhao, Xiao, Huang, Yunjie, Li, Qingfeng, Bjerrum, Niels J., Liu, Changpeng, Xing, Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.03.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Active site; Activity; Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalysts: preparations and properties; Chemistry; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; General and physical chemistry; Heat-treatment; Non-precious metal catalyst; Oxygen reduction reaction; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Activity; Non-precious metal catalyst; Oxygen reduction reaction; Active site; Heat-treatment; Oxygen; Heat treatment; Nanostructured material; Non metallic material; Nanofiber; Nanostructure; Carbon; Chemical reduction; Catalyst activity; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Catalyst; Aniline polymer
• ISSN: 0378-7753
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.10.013

Non-precious metal catalysts (NPMCs) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are an active subject of recent research on proton exchange membrane fuel cells. In this study, we report a new approach to preparation of self-supported and nano-structured NPMCs using pre-prepared polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers as both nitrogen and carbon precursors. The synthesized NPMCs possess nanoworm structures preserved from the PANI precursor and exhibit high onset potential of 0.905 V vs. RHE and selective activity of nearly four-electron ORR pathways. A significant enhancement in the intrinsic activity and onset potential for the ORR is observed when the Fe content in the precursor is increased from 0 to 3.0 wt.%, while further addition to 10.0 wt.% results in a decrease in the catalytic activity. ► Novel preparation of self-supported and nano-structured NPMCs for ORR. ► An onset potential of 0.905 V vs. RHE and nearly four-electron ORR pathway. ► Effects of ferrous species in precursors on the final catalysts explored. ► Onset ORR potentials increasing with the initial Fe content from 0 to 3.0 wt.%.