Development of Pt-Free Carbon-Based Catalyst for PEFC Cathode Prepared from Polyacrylonitrile

Carbon-based catalyst for PEFC cathode was prepared from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) by adopting PAN-based carbon fiber chemistry. The PAN prepared on radical polymerization was stabilized in air. The stabilized PAN was pyrolyzed in nitrogen. Finally the carbon-based catalyst was obtained after activation in ammonia. On half cell testing with rotating disc electrode (RDE) measurement, the catalyst prepared with appropriate amount of Fe species in pyrolysis process showed high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. Additionally, a membrane electrode assembly comprising of the carbon-based catalyst as cathode catalyst was prepared and its PEFC performance was also demonstrated.