Influence of Metal Desorption of Cathode Catalysts for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells on Oxygen Reduction Activity

Abstract

Several composites were obtained by polycondensation reaction using metal phthalocyanine having carboxy groups and p-phenylenediamine. The obtained composites were pyrolyzed at 900 °C in a hydrogen stream to afford the cathode catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC). The catalysts were treated with aqua regia to investigate the influence of metal content on oxygen reduction activity (ORA). Comparing the ORA of the catalysts before and after the aqua regia treatment, the ones containing metal had higher activity. It became clear that the presence of metal is indispensable for improving ORA.