Iron and cobalt containing electrospun carbon nanofibre-based cathode catalysts for anion exchange membrane fuel cell.

The use of Pt-based cathode catalyst materials hinders the widespread application of anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). Herein, we present a non-precious metal catalyst (NPMC) material based on pyrolysed Fe and Co co-doped electrospun carbon nanofibres (CNFs). The prepared materials are studied as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts in alkaline and acidic environments. High activity towards the ORR in alkaline solution indicated the suitability of the prepared NPMCs for the application at the AEMFC cathode. In the AEMFC test, the membrane-electrode assembly bearing a cathode with the nanofibre-based catalyst prepared with the ionic liquid (IL) (Fe/Co/IL–CNF–800b) showed the maximum power density (P max) of 195 mW cm−2, which is 78% of the P max obtained with a commercial Pt/C cathode catalyst. Such high ORR electrocatalytic activity was attributed to the unique CNF structure, high micro-mesoporosity, different nature of nitrogen species and metal-N x active centres. [Display omitted] • Pyrolysed Fe and Co co-doped electrospun carbon nanofibre catalysts were prepared. • The materials were tested as ORR and OER catalysts in alkaline and acidic media. • Several materials were also employed as cathode catalysts in the AEMFC test. • The prepared nanofibre catalysts were found to have high activity towards the ORR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]