Single iron atom embedded in dual-size nitrogen-doped carbon framework on reduced graphene oxide: An effective catalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

The commercialization of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) is hindering by the cost of noble metal catalysts. We are introducing A-FeSAC-NCDS/rGO, a novel catalyst derived from metal-organic framework through carbonization and ammonia treatment. This catalyst is incorporating single iron atoms (FeSAC) within dual-sized porous nitrogen-carbon frameworks (NCDS, 30 nm and 100 nm), supporting on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The catalyst is providing abundant active sites, with NCDS increasing active site density and rGO enhancing material conductivity. Consequently, catalyst is exceling in the oxygen reduction reaction, boasting an onset potential of 0.807 V and a half-wave potential of 0.779 V, near benchmark Pt/C catalyst. PEMFC tests employing A-FeSAC-NCDS/rGO achieved a power density of 780.7 mWcm−2 at 1.6 A cm−2 in an H2–O2 system. In durability tests at 0.6 Acm−2 in H2-air, voltage loss was 28.68 % after 50 h. These results position the catalyst as a promising choice for PEMFC.