The high platinum loadings in the cathode is a critical obstacle for the commercialization of H₂/air PEM fuel cells. Earth-abundant Fe-N-C electrocatalysts are under focus due to their high electrocatalytic, but this material suffers from poor stability due to the carbon corrosion by the undesired H₂O₂ species that are formed in parallel to H₂O¹. Herein, Fe-N-C was utilized as support for the deposition of ultra-low amounts of Pt nanoparticles^2,3. The obtained results showed an oxygen reduction activity very similar to the state-of-the-art carbon-supported platinum (20 wt.%), and a considerable increase in the stability when compared to pure Fe-N-C. The main features that control the stability of the synthesized electrocatalyst is discussed in this study. The results from this investigation may contribute to further advance in the development of cost-effective and durable ORR electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cells.

References

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Acknowledgements

Authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from FAPESP (2013/16930-7, and 2016/13323-0), CNPq (306469/20162), and Capes.