Coordination compound-derived ordered mesoporous N-free Fe–Px–C material for efficient oxygen electroreduction

Abstract

Developing a high-performance non-precious metal electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is considered the main challenge facing the commercialization of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). Strategies of how to obtain highly active and stable catalysts still need to be studied. Herein, using a specially chosen (Ph₃P)₂Fe(CO)₃ compound, containing Fe–P coordination centers, as the precursor, an ordered mesoporous N-free carbon-based electrocatalyst with embedded Fe–P_x active sites was obtained through a wet-impregnation nanocasting method. Through this strategy, the ORR activity of the Fe–P–C material can be remarkably improved in both alkaline and acidic media. This enables Fe–P–C to become a new competitive candidate to substitute Pt-based cathode catalysts for the ORR in fuel cells.