Using nitrogen-rich polymeric network and iron(II) acetate as precursors to synthesize highly efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media

Carbon-supported transition metal/nitrogen (M-N/C) materials are considered as one of the most promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) owing to their high ORR electrocatalytic activity, long-term stability, and excellent methanol tolerance. So far only a few examples of such catalysts are prepared from N-containing polymers. Herein, we report a novel Fe-N/C catalyst using a nitrogen-rich polymeric network and iron(II) acetate as the precursors. The porous polymeric network is fabricated by one-step Friedel Crafts reaction of a low-cost cross-linker, formaldehyde dimethyl acetal, with 2,4,6-tripyrrol-1,3,5-triazine. Compared to commercial Pt/C catalyst, the as-prepared Fe-N/C electrocatalyst exhibits superior ORR activity in alkaline electrolyte, and comparable ORR activity in acidic medium. The results obtained are significant for the development of new Fe-N/C electrocatalysts for fuel cells. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.