Development of Pt-Free Carbon-Based Catalyst for PEFC Cathode Prepared from Polyacrylonitrile

Abstract

Carbon-based catalyst for PEFC cathode was prepared from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) by adopting the PAN-based carbon fiber chemistry. The PAN prepared on radical polymerization was stabilized in air. The stabilized PAN was pyrolyzed in nitrogen. Finally the carbon-based catalyst was obtained after activation in ammonia. On half cell testing with rotating disc electrode (RDE) measurement, the catalyst prepared with appropriate amount of Fe species in pyrolysis process showed high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. Additionally, a membrane electrode assembly comprising of the carbon-based catalyst as cathode catalyst was prepared and its PEFC performance has been also demonstrated.

Transition Metal–Nitrogen–Carbon (M–N–C) Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction. Insights on Synthesis and Performance in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

“…Concerning the different types of polymers that have been used, we can mention the following categories: -polymers containing a N atom in their monomeric unit (e.g., polyacrylonitrile, polyamides, resin urea-formaldehyde) [93][94][95]; -porous organic polymers (POP), including covalent organic frameworks (COF) [96] and porphyrin-and phthalocyanine-based polymers [97,98]; -electroconductive polymers.…”

“…As for the synthesis Method 1, NH 3 can also be used during the pyrolysis as reactive gas, to favor additional incorporation of N, with beneficial effects in catalyst activity [94]. In some works, an N-containing polymer was used with organic N-containing ligand molecules (like phenanthroline [108], ethylenediamine [109], or melamine [36]) forming complexes with transition metals, or with metallized macrocycles (e.g., phthalocyanines [110]).…”

Recent Advances in Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

“…(1) The highest performing catalyst is PAN-Fe03-1000NH 3 . 731 It was made by dispersing polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in a solution of FeCl 2 •4H 2 O in tetrahydrofuran. The initial Fe loading was 0.3 wt % to obtain PAN-Fe03.…”

“…(1) The highest performing catalyst is PAN-Fe03-1000NH 3 . 731 Its synthesis has already been described as it is also the highest performing catalyst in H 2 /O 2 in Table 7. In H 2 /air, the initial peak power of PAN-Fe03-1000NH 3 is 0.41 W cm −2 .…”

“…As far as performance is concerned, we have seen in Figure 24 that the catalyst displaying the largest initial peak power in H 2 /O 2 fuel cell was 14#214 with a maximum initial peak power of 0.98 W cm −2 . 731 The durability in H 2 /O 2 and H 2 /air fuel cells was not reported in the same experimental conditions for at least 100 h at any potential for the same catalyst, but this was done for catalyst 11#38_Ar + NH 3 , the third catalyst on the list in Table 7 at a constant potential of 0.5 V ( Figure 28A, H 2 /O 2 ; and Figure 30, H 2 /air). The original publication about catalyst 11#38_Ar + NH 3 was also reporting on the activity of that catalyst measured in A cm −3 at 800 mV iR-free in H 2 /O 2 fuel cell and in experimental conditions recommended by the DOE for non-Pt catalysts activity per volume of supported catalyst (for transportation applications).…”