Fe-C-N oxygen reduction catalysts prepared by combinatorial sputter deposition

Thin-film libraries of FexC1-x-yNy libraries (0 < x < 0.12; 0 < y < 0.5) have been prepared by combinatorial sputter deposition. The libraries were subsequently annealed at 700, 800, and 1000 degrees C to induce structural and compositional changes. Respectable catalytic activity was achieved with libraries having 0 < x < 0.035 and 0.01 < y < 0.16 that were annealed at 800 degrees C. This is explained in terms of nitrogen content and the degree of graphitization of the annealed catalysts. (c) 2006 The Electrochemical Society.