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FeNi alloy supported on nitrogen-doped graphene catalysts by polyol process for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) cathode

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Abstract

A non-precious metal FeNi electrocatalyst (FeNi/NG) was prepared by a simple solution route called the polyol process for use as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst in polymer exchange membrane fuel cells. The nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) was synthesized from graphite oxide (GO) in a one-pot reactor via thermal annealing of GO-mixed melamine. The obtained NG presents high content of pyridinic-N and quaternary-N types with acceptable activity of ORR in acidic media by XPS and cyclic voltammetry techniques, respectively. The non-precious FeNi alloy nanoparticles (spherical-like nanoparticles mixed with hexagonal plate-like features) were successfully synthesized and well dispersed on the prepared NG by the polyol process confirmed by SEM-BSE and TEM analysis. The XRD and SAED results found FeNi and the carbon phase in the prepared catalysts. Finally, the CV technique shows that the peak potential of FeNi/NG is in the range of 0.12–0.34 V, which is close to that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst (0.35 V). To summarize, the obtained catalyst (FeNi/NG) revealed reliable electrocatalytic properties for ORR in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell cathode.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Research, Development, and Engineering (RD&E) fund through The National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand (P-10-10820). Grants from the Center for Innovation in Chemistry, Postgraduate Education and Research Program in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), and the National Research University Project of Thailand (NRU) are also acknowledged. Finally, the Graduate School of Chiang Mai University is also thanked for the general support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Reungruthai Sirirak, Benjaporn Jarulertwathana, Viratchara Laokawee & Warapa Susingrat

  2. Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Reungruthai Sirirak & Thapanee Sarakonsri

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  1. Reungruthai Sirirak
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  2. Benjaporn Jarulertwathana
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Correspondence to Reungruthai Sirirak.

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Sirirak, R., Jarulertwathana, B., Laokawee, V. et al. FeNi alloy supported on nitrogen-doped graphene catalysts by polyol process for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) cathode. Res Chem Intermed 43, 2905–2919 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-016-2802-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-016-2802-6

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