Synthesis of novel mesoporous carbon spheres and their supported Fe-based electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cell oxygen reduction reaction

Mesoporous carbon spheres (MPCs) are synthesized using a template assisted ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique and explored as the support materials for non-noble metal electrocatalysts intended to be used for PEM fuel cell oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). TEM images show that MPCs synthesized are the honeycomb-like carbon spheres with uniform nanosized pores. MPC's surface area, thermal stability and affinity to catalyst are improved by a second heat treatment and an acidic treatment, confirmed by BET, TGA, and electrochemical measurements, respectively. The synthesized Fe-Nx catalyst with MPC support shows an improved ORR activity when compared to the catalyst supported by commercially available Black Pearl 2000.