Is nitrogen important in the formulation of Fe-based catalysts for oxygen reduction in solid polymer fuel cells?
(1997) Electrochimica Acta — Vol. 42, n° 9, p. 1379-1388 (1997)
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- The role of nitrogen and iron in the generation of catalysts for oxygen reduction in acidic media has been investigated by using two independent organic precursors. The Fe and N precursors were polyvinylferrocene adsorbed on carbon black and acetonitrile vapor, respectively. These precursors were pyrolyzed at 1000 degrees C. A catalyst is obtained only if Fe and N are present together in the reactor during pyrolysis. Inactive Fe clusters surrounded by a protective graphitic envelope are produced when adsorbed polyvinylferrocene is pyrolyzed alone at 1000 degrees C. The latter material may, however, be activated by a second pyrolysis in acetonitrile vapor. The characterization of the catalyst indicates that the iron is oxidized (Fe-II and Fe-III), but no strong Fe-N-x bonds were unequivocally detected by ToF SIMS. Lifetime testing of the catalyst in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell demonstrated stable currents for at least 300 h. The current density measured with a catalyst containing 1 wt% Fe was about 1/3 of that measured with a commercial Pt-based catalyst containing 2 wt% metal loading. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
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Lalande, G., Cote, R., Guay, D., Dodelet, JP., Weng, LT., & Bertrand, P. (1997). Is nitrogen important in the formulation of Fe-based catalysts for oxygen reduction in solid polymer fuel cells? Electrochimica Acta, 42(9), 1379-1388. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-4686(96)00361-1 (Original work published 1997)