Fe-N/C Catalyst using Various Nitrogen and Carbon Ratio through Chemical Oxidative Polymerization

Abstract

This study aims to explain the effect of variations in nitrogen and carbon composition of catalysts on electrochemical properties and physical characterization. The usage of non-precious metals supported by nitrogen-carbon is one alternative to reduce the amount of platinum as the innovation of energy materials. Iron is a transition metal that can increase catalytic activity with the addition of a nitrogen source. The polymerization process was carried out by chemical oxidative polymerization for 24 hours in an ice bath using aniline as N source. Optimization of nitrogen coating on the carbon surface is carried out by mixing carbon during polymerization. The mixing of iron precursor and N/C powder was carried out in an ultrasonic bath and continued with pyrolysis at a temperature of 700oC. Regarding Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) test, the Fe-N/C = 2/1 catalyst has the largest area and the highest current density. The presence of Fe2O3 is needed to improve the electrochemical properties compared to Fe3C compounds. The composition analysis showed that the Fe-N/C = 2/1 catalyst had the highest Fe content after pyrolysis. In addition, the Fe-N/C = 2/1 catalyst also had the highest nitrogen content which can form a nitrogen functional group from the pyrolysis process.