Iron and manganese co-doped mesoporous carbon-based catalysts via template-assisted synthesis for proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

This work explores a novel and sustainable synthesis strategy for developing platinum-group metal (PGM)-free catalysts with high electrocatalytic activity, emphasizing the significance of hierarchically porous structures to improve electrocatalytic performance. We present an easily scalable method that utilizes magnesium salt as the precursor of sacrificial template to synthesize mesoporous carbon-based catalysts. The catalysts are doped with nitrogen and iron, while manganese is added to increase the stability of the catalyst under highly corrosive acidic conditions. The electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is investigated in acidic media using the rotating disk electrode technique. The electrocatalytic activity of the prepared catalysts is evaluated in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), where a significant increase in performance is achieved with the hierarchically porous carbon catalyst. The results demonstrate the potential of these catalysts as efficient and durable alternatives to PGM-based cathode catalysts in PEMFCs. [Display omitted] • Mesoporous catalysts are prepared from alkylresorcinols using an Mg-based template. • High ORR activity of Fe- and FeMn-doped M-N-C catalysts in RDE test in acidic media. • FeMn-doped electrocatalyst exhibits increased stability in AST and low H 2 O 2 yield. • Excellent PEMFC results were obtained using PGM-free materials as cathode catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]