Transition metal-containing nitrogen-doped nanocarbon catalysts derived from 5-methylresorcinol for anion exchange membrane fuel cell application.

Highly active electrocatalysts for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were prepared by high-temperature pyrolysis from 5-methylresorcinol, Co and/or Fe salts and dicyandiamide, which acts simultaneously as a precursor for reactive carbonitride template and a nitrogen source. The electrocatalytic activity of the catalysts for ORR in alkaline solution was studied using the rotating disc electrode (RDE) method. The bimetallic catalyst containing iron and cobalt (FeCoNC-at) showed excellent stability and remarkable ORR performance, comparable to that of commercial Pt/C (20 wt%). The superior activity was attributed to high surface metal and nitrogen contents. The FeCoNC-at catalyst was further tested in anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC) with poly-(hexamethyl-p-terphenylbenzimidazolium) (HMT-PMBI) membrane, where a high value of peak power density (Pmax = 415 mW cm-2) was achieved.