Studies on Co-based catalysts supported on modified carbon substrates for PEMFC cathodes

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 157; no. 1; pp. 56 - 63
• Main Authors: Subramanian, Nalini P., Kumaraguru, Swaminatha P., Colon-Mercado, Hector, Kim, Hansung, Popov, Branko N., Black, Timothy, Chen, Donna A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01-06-2006; Elsevier Sequoia
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbon activation; Electrocatalysis; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Non-noble metal catalyst; Oxygen reduction; PEM fuel cells; Non-noble metal catalyst; Oxygen reduction; Electrocatalysis; PEM fuel cells; Carbon activation; Polymer solid electrolyte; Noble metal; Activation; Cobalt complex; Carbon; Supported catalyst; Fuel cell
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2005.07.031

Cobalt based non-precious metal catalysts were prepared by supporting cobalt-ethylene diamine complex on carbon followed by a heat treatment at elevated temperatures (800
°C). Surface oxygen groups on carbon were introduced with HNO
3 oxidation. Co catalysts supported on oxidized carbon showed improved activity and selectivity towards four-electron reduction of molecular oxygen. Quinone groups introduced by nitric acid treatment, in addition to increasing the dispersion of the chelate complexes, play a role in forming the active site for oxygen reduction.