Development of nano-electrocatalysts based on carbon nitride supports for the ORR processes in PEM fuel cells

Interplay between morphology and electrochemical performance of “core–shell” electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction based on a PtNix carbon nitride “shell” and a pyrolyzed polyketone nanoball “core”

“…In particular: (a) the aggregation of the platinum-group metal nanoparticles bearing the active sites should be prevented; and (b) the degradation of the interfaces between the support and the platinum-group metal nanoparticles should be inhibited [12]. In principle, there is the possibility to achieve the abovedescribed targets by synthesizing the ORR electrocatalysts according to a new procedure developed over the last years [18,19]. This procedure is unique, and is completely different with respect to the well-assessed synthetic procedures reported in the literature [8,11,20].…”

Advances in Ceramic Supports for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

“…Other non-metal ceramics such as carbo-nitrides were also studied as combined catalyst-support arrays with noble and non-noble metals [98,99]. Xu et al [100] reported the synthesis of graphitic C3N4 support by the direct heating of dicyandiamide for the deposition of Ag nanoparticles as the catalyst, forming Ag/g-C3N4.…”

Improving the Ethanol Oxidation Activity of Pt-Mn Alloys through the Use of Additives during Deposition

“…Studies have shown that nitrogen functionalization on carbon can improve cathode performance [11,19]. While Dinotto and Negro [20,21] have produced some carbon nitride-based electrocatalysts at lower temperatures, nitrogen groups are more commonly introduced via high temperature processes that can also alter the porosity and microstructure of the support [11]. Unfortunately, the efforts in our group to produce Pt-Mn alloys from polyol and microemulsion methods were not successful because of very negative reduction potential for Mn ions in these solutions, which prevented Mn co-deposition [22].…”