Fe-N/C catalysts for oxygen reduction based on silicon carbide derived carbon

Two different Fe-N/C(SiC) catalysts (Fe+Bipyr/C(SiC) and Fe+Phen/C(SiC)) for oxygen reduction based on silicon carbide derived carbon were synthesized and investigated in 0.1M KOH aqueous solution by rotating disc electrode method. It was found that the electrocatalytic activity and stability are significantly influenced by the change of the nitrogen ligand in the catalyst. Comparable current density values obtained for 20%Pt-Vulcan electrode could be achieved for Fe+Bipyr/C(SiC) and Fe+Phen/C(SiC) catalysts in alkaline media. The durability tests (~150h) showed that the decrease of the activity for Fe+Bipyr/C(SiC) and Fe+Phen/C(SiC) is only 0.5mVh−1 and 0.17mVh−1, respectively. The Fe+Bipyr/C(SiC) catalyst demonstrated higher activity in the RDE measurements, but during the long-term test the Fe+Phen/C(SiC) catalyst prove to be more stable than Fe+Bipyr/C(SiC). Keywords: Oxygen reduction reaction, Carbide derived carbon, Fe-N/C catalyst, Rotating disc electrode method, Durability tes