Unraveling the Nature of Sites Active toward Hydrogen Peroxide Reduction in Fe-N-C Catalysts.

ABSTRACT: Fe-N-C catalysts with high O₂ reduction performance are crucial for displacing Pt in low-temperature fuel cells. However, insufficient understanding of which reaction steps are catalyzed by what sites limits their progress. The nature of sites were investigated that are active toward H₂ O₂ reduction, a key intermediate during indirect O₂ reduction and a source of deactivation in fuel cells. Catalysts comprising different relative contents of FeN_x C_y moieties and Fe particles encapsulated in N-doped carbon layers (0-100 %) show that both types of sites are active, although moderately, toward H₂ O₂ reduction. In contrast, N-doped carbons free of Fe and Fe particles exposed to the electrolyte are inactive. When catalyzing the ORR, FeN_x C_y moieties are more selective than Fe particles encapsulated in N-doped carbon. These novel insights offer rational approaches for more selective and therefore more durable Fe-N-C catalysts.

SUBMITTER: Choi CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5519930 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature