Synthesis and characterization of Co-N-C and Fe-N-C for application as methanol tolerant cathode catalysts in DMFC

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the most important processes for fuel cell. 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 this regard, Co-N-C and Fe-N-C have been prepared by, first, chelating the metals with ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA, nitrogen precursor). In the next step, the chelated metals have been deposited on a high surface area oxidized carbon support to increase the electrical conductivity. The latter composite material has been thermally treated at 800°C (CoNC8 and FeNC8) or 1000°C (CoNC10 and FeNC10) in nitrogen atmosphere in order to create the catalytic sites that will be able to perform the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurements have been carried out to investigate the activity and stability of the electro-catalysts for the ORR. Information about the structure, morphology, surface characteristics has been obtained by XRD, TEM and XPS, whereas the elemental composition has been studied by CHNS and EDX. The most promising formulations have been investigated in DMFCs.