Highly active bimetallic CuFe–N–C electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media

Here, we prepare a bimetallic CuFe–N–C catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) by annealing metal precursor-adsorbed polyaniline under an NH3 gas atmosphere at high temperature. The catalyst exhibits higher ORR activity and durability than Pt/C and other monometallic Cu (Fe)–N–C catalysts in 0.1 M KOH. The remarkable catalytic activity of the CuFe–N–C catalyst is due to the interaction between Cu and Fe, which facilitates ORR and also results in higher contents of total N and active N species. In the same vein, single cell using the CuFe–N–C catalyst exhibits greatly enhanced performance compared to those using other catalysts.