Iron-Cobalt Modified Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers as Oxygen Reduction Catalysts in Alkaline Fuel Cells

Abstract

Iron, cobalt, and carbon nanofiber (FeCo-CNF) composite electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline fuel cells (AFCs) have been fabricated via a simple and cost-effective process―electrospinning and the subsequent pyrolysis of a mixture of a nitrogen-containing polymer and organo-metallic compounds. From subsequent electrochemical characterizations, the resultant FeCo-CNFs catalysts demonstrated comparable electrocatalytic activity and stability to commercial carbon-supported platinum (Pt/C) for ORR, a direct 4-electron reduction pathway, and better ethanol tolerance than Pt/C in an alkaline electrolyte. According to material characterizations, metal inclusion seems to result in oxygen-related active site formations and enhancement of electrical conductivity. Therefore, with this synthesis approach, we expect that it is possible to make advanced cathode materials with high conductivity, surface area, ORR activity, and stability for AFCs without requiring noble metal catalysts.