Non-precious metal oxygen reduction catalyst for PEM fuel cells based on nitroaniline precursor

The cost of platinum is one of the major obstacles in the commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Non-precious metal catalysts (NPMC) as an inexpensive substitute for platinum have been viewed as the only long-term solution to the problem. In this paper, we introduce new precursors used to synthesize NPMC active sites through metal-assisted polymerization of nitrogen-containing, aromatic molecules. Results of electrochemical characterization, which was performed in a real fuel cell environment, with emphasis on the activity of the catalyst are presented. Catalytic activity among the highest in the NPMC area was obtained when using 4-nitroaniline as a precursor. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.