Noble-Metal-Free FeMn-N-C catalyst for efficient oxygen reduction reaction in both alkaline and acidic media

Shuaili Zhao; Zizai Ma; Zihao Wan; Jinping Li; Xiaoguang Wang

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2023.03.206

Noble-Metal-Free FeMn-N-C catalyst for efficient oxygen reduction reaction in both alkaline and acidic media

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2023 Jul 15:642:800-809. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.03.206. Epub 2023 Apr 3.

Authors

Shuaili Zhao¹, Zizai Ma², Zihao Wan¹, Jinping Li³, Xiaoguang Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Energy Electrochemistry, Institute of New Carbon Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China.
² College of Chemistry, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Gas Energy Efficient and Clean Utilization, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China. Electronic address: mazizai@tyut.edu.cn.
³ Shanxi Key Laboratory of Gas Energy Efficient and Clean Utilization, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China.
⁴ Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Energy Electrochemistry, Institute of New Carbon Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Gas Energy Efficient and Clean Utilization, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China. Electronic address: wangxiaog1982@163.com.

PMID: 37043938
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.03.206

Abstract

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is important cathodic reaction running in several electrochemical energy conversion devices. It is still difficult to develop non-precious nanocatalysts for ORR that have high activity and increased durability for practical application. Herein, bimetallic FeMn(mIm)-N-C composite incorporated with Fe and Mn via an encapsulation-ligand exchange technique is prepared and established as an efficient ORR catalyst. The results reveal that FeMn(mIm)-N-C shows outstanding ORR performance with E_1/2 of 0.861 V and 0.778 V in alkaline and acid solutions, along with robust durability. Additionally, the assembled Zn-Air batteries (ZAB) and proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) both have exceptional power densities and show promise for long-term stability compared to 20% Pt/C. The present work provides a useful strategy for designing and synthesizing a reliable low-cost and high-efficient electrocatalysts for energy conversion and storage.

Keywords: M-N-C catalysts; Oxygen reduction reaction; PEMFC; Synergistic effect; Zn-air battery.