Unraveling the Nature of Sites Active toward Hydrogen Peroxide Reduction in Fe-N-C Catalysts

Abstract

Fe-N-C catalysts with high O2 reduction performance are crucial for displacing Pt in low-temperature fuel cells. However, insufficient understanding of which reaction steps are catalyzed by what sites limits their progress. The nature of sites were investigated that are active toward H2O2 reduction, a key intermediate during indirect O2 reduction and a source of deactivation in fuel cells. Catalysts comprising different relative contents of FeNxCy moieties and Fe particles encapsulated in N-doped carbon layers (0–100 %) show that both types of sites are active, although moderately, toward H2O2 reduction. In contrast, N-doped carbons free of Fe and Fe particles exposed to the electrolyte are inactive. When catalyzing the ORR, FeNxCy moieties are more selective than Fe particles encapsulated in N-doped carbon. These novel insights offer rational approaches for more selective and therefore more durable Fe-N-C catalysts.