Development of ruthenium-based catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

A process was developed to synthesize ruthenium-based chelate (RuNx) electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction, using RuCl3 and propylene diammine as the Ru and N precursors, respectively. High-temperature pyrolysis has a critical role in the formation of the catalytic Ru - N sites for oxygen reduction. The RuNx catalyst modified in the presence of nitrogen-containing organic exhibited comparable catalytic activity and selectivity for oxygen reduction to the carbon-supported Pt catalyst in acidic media. The catalyst generates less than 2% hydrogen peroxide during oxygen reduction. (c) 2006 The Electrochemical Society.