Iron and cobalt phthalocyanine embedded electrospun carbon nanofiber-based catalysts for anion exchange membrane fuel cell cathode

The successful implementation of renewable energy transition assumes the introduction and widespread use of zero-emission and sustainable energy conversion devices. Anion-exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC) is one of the appliances that meets the prescribed criteria. In this study, Fe(II) phthalocyanine and Co(II) phthalocyanine co-doped polyacrylonitrile-based electrospun carbon nanofibre (CNF) catalysts were prepared via pyrolysis. The influence of carbonisation temperature, acid leaching conditions, pres-ence of ionic liquid (IL) as porogen, and the metal phthalocyanine content were investigated. Physical characterisation revealed the nanofibrous structure, high specific surface area, presence of Co-Nx, Fe-Nx sites, and different N-species with high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. The catalyst material with the highest ORR performance, D-MN4-CNF-IL-A, showed a half-wave potential of 857 +/- 6 mV vs. reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.1 M KOH and the maximum power density value of 231 mW cm -2 when applied as a cathode catalyst in the AEMFC.(c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.