Highly durable Pt-free fuel cell catalysts prepared by multi-step pyrolysis of Fe phthalocyanine and phenolic resin

Abstract

Pt-free cathode catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells have been developed by multi-step pyrolysis of Fe phthalocyanine (FePc) and phenolic resin (PhRs), the best of which shows a promising fuel cell performance: 1.0 A cm⁻² at 0.38 V with 0.2 MPa of H₂ and O₂ at 80 °C. Durability tests over 800 h have been completed and they suggest good stability of the catalyst. This promising fuel cell performance and durability can be achieved because the multi-step pyrolysis of FePc and PhRs can overcome the trade-off between the heat treatment temperature and catalytic activity by combining the stepwise heat treatments and acid washing.