Nitrogen-Containing Carbon Nanostructures (CNx) Iron-Nitrogen-Carbon (Fe-N-C) as Non-Noble Metal Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) in Acidic Media

Large scale commercialization of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) for power generation is hindered by their high cost, most of which is attributed to noble metal based cathode catalysts (platinum). Considerable research has been carried out to develop non-noble metal cathode catalysts for catalyzing the Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR). Despite significant work on developing these transition metal containing carbon materials as ORR catalysts, much is still unknown with regards to their active site. We have previously reported on the role of the transition metal and nitrogen in two classes of carbon-based materials, i.e., nitrogen-containing carbon nanostructures (CN_x) and iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe-N-C) catalysts. Our current research focuses on gaining further insights into these catalysts and establishing differences in their ORR activity and stability. Detailed characterization of these materials has also been performed using techniques such X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Temperature Programmed Oxidation (TPO), X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES), Extended-X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (EXAFS), Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometry, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Mössbauer Spectroscopy.