Me-N-C (Me = Fe or Co) Electrocatalysts Derived from EDTA for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs)

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the most important processes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). Platinum and other noble metals are suitable materials able to catalyze the ORR in a fuel cell. However, because of the cost, PEMFC and DMFC technologies requires the development of non-precious-metal catalysts (NPMC) characterized by efficient activity and selectivity towards ORR. In the present work, Co-N-C and Fe-N-C electrocatalysts have been prepared by mixing Fe or Co precursors, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) as a nitrogen source, and an oxidized carbon. These materials have been thermally treated at 800 °C or 1000 °C under nitrogen flow to produce four samples, named CoNC8, CoNC10, FeNC8, and FeNC10. Rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurements have been carried out to investigate the activity and stability of the electro-catalysts for the ORR. The most promising formulations have been investigated in DMFCs.