Preparation of carbon alloy catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells from nitrogen-containing rigid-rod polymers

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 195; no. 18; pp. 5947 - 5951
• Main Authors: Chokai, Masayuki, Taniguchi, Masataka, Moriya, Shogo, Matsubayashi, Katsuyuki, Shinoda, Tsuyoshi, Nabae, Yuta, Kuroki, Shigeki, Hayakawa, Teruaki, Kakimoto, Masa-aki, Ozaki, Jun-ichi, Miyata, Seizo
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.09.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Aromatic polyamides; Azoles; Carbon; Carbon alloy catalysts; Catalysis; Catalysts; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrolytes; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Oxygen reduction reaction; Polyamide resins; Reduction (electrolytic); Rigid-rod polymers; Carbon alloy catalysts; Rigid-rod polymers; Oxygen reduction reaction; Chemical reduction; Oxygen; Polymer electrolytes; Polymer; Carbon; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Catalyst
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.01.012

‘Carbon Alloy Catalysts’ (CAC), non-precious metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), were prepared from various kinds of nitrogen-containing rigid-rod aromatic polymers, polyimides, polyamides and azoles, by carbonization at 900 °C under nitrogen flow. The catalytic activity for ORR was evaluated by the onset potential, which was taken at a current density of −2 μA cm −2. Carbonized polymers having high nitrogen content showed higher onset potential. In particular, CACs derived from azole (Az5) had an onset potential of 0.8 V, despite being was prepared without any metals.