A facile route for preparation of non-noble CNF cathode catalysts in alkaline ethanol fuel cells

Non-precious metal incorporated carbon nanofiber (CNF) composite electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media were developed via a facile approach, based on electrospinning and pyrolysis. According to successive material characterizations, most of the Fe and Co metals embedded in the carbon fibers (FeCo-CNF) were just used to facilitate the incorporation of nitrogen and oxygen species on the CNF surface more effectively without direct participating in the ORR. The experimental resultant FeCo-CNF catalysts were subsequently shown to possess the comparable electrocatalytic activity and the better tolerance to crossovered ethanol than Pt/C in the ORR.

Comparable oxygen reduction reaction activity of non-precious metal incorporated into carbon nanofiber.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Highly active and cost-effective Non-noble CNF electrocatalysts for ORR.
► Mass-productive and facile electrospinning process was developed.
► Comparable electrocatalytic activity and stability compared with Pt/C catalyst.
► Better tolerance against crossover ethanol.
► Embedded metals enhance the incorporation of N and O species onto CNF surface.