Issue 31, 2014

Non-precious electrocatalysts synthesized from metal–organic frameworks

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are considered as clean and efficient energy conversion devices with great potential to replace currently used internal combustion engines (ICEs) in the near future. Developing high-performance and less expensive non-precious metal electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode side is crucial for widespread application of PEMFCs. Herein an Fe-containing metal–organic framework (MOF) was employed as the sole precursor for preparing a cathode electrocatalyst. The Fe-MOF was synthesized and subsequently subjected to thermolysis under a non-reactive gas atmosphere followed by acid leaching and heat treatment under NH3 at different temperatures between 700 and 1000 °C. Upon pyrolysis, iron–nitrogen containing carbon active sites (Fe/N/C) were formed in parallel with development of an electronically conductive carbon medium produced through pyrolytic carbonization of the organic component of the MOF material. The prepared electrocatalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 physisorption, TEM and XPS. In a H2SO4 (pH = 1) electrolyte, the ORR onset potential of 0.915 V, and the half-wave potential of 0.811 V are achieved using the most promising electrocatalyst (C700/950). The membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) made of these electrocatalysts were also tested as a cathode in a H2/air single fuel cell. The most promising electrocatalyst (C700/950) demonstrated an open circuit voltage of 0.945 V and a maximum power density of 0.302 W cm−2 reached at 0.391 V.

Graphical abstract: Non-precious electrocatalysts synthesized from metal–organic frameworks

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 جمادى الثانية 1435
Accepted
11 شعبان 1435
First published
12 شعبان 1435

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2014,2, 12270-12279

Non-precious electrocatalysts synthesized from metal–organic frameworks

F. Afsahi and S. Kaliaguine, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2014, 2, 12270 DOI: 10.1039/C4TA02010C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements