Structure of active sites of Fe-N-C nano-catalysts for alkaline exchange membrane fuel cells

Kishi, Hirofumi*; Sakamoto, Tomokazu*; Asazawa, Koichiro*; Yamaguchi, Susumu*; Kato, Takeshi*; Zulevi, B.*; Serov, A.*; Artyushkova, K.*; Atanassov, P.*; Matsumura, Daiju   ; Tamura, Kazuhisa   ; Nishihata, Yasuo; Tanaka, Hirohisa*

Platinum group metal-free catalysts based on transition metal-nitrogen-carbon nanomaterials have been studied by a combination of in situ X-ray spectroscopy techniques, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, Mssbauer spectroscopy, electrochemical methods and density functional theory. Fe-N-C oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts were synthesized by varying several synthetic parameters to obtain nanomaterials with different composition and morphology. Associated with Fe-N motive and the presence of Fe metallic particles in the electrocatalysts showed the clear differences in the variation of composition; processing and treatment conditions of sacrificial support method. From the results of material characterization; catalytic activity and theoretical studies; Fe metallic particles (coated with carbon) are main contributors into the HO generation.