Synthesis and characterization of a novel binuclear iron phthalocyanine/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for non-precious electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction

Abstract

Binuclear iron phthalocyanine/reduced graphene oxide (bi-FePc/RGO) nanocomposite with good electrocatalytic activity for ORR in alkaline medium was prepared in one step. High angle annular dark field image scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy element mapping results show bi-FePc was uniformly distributed on RGO. An obvious cathodic peak located at about −0.23 V (vs. SCE) in CV and an onset potential of −0.004 V (vs. SCE) in LSV indicate the as-prepared bi-FePc/RGO nanocomposite possesses high activity which is closed to Pt/C for ORR. The ORR on bi-FePc/RGO nanocomposite follows four-electron transfer pathway in alkaline medium. Compared with Pt/C, there is only a slight decrease (about 0.02 V vs. SCE) for bi-FePc/RGO nanocomposite when the methanol exists. The excellent activity and methanol tolerance in alkaline solutions proves that bi-FePc/RGO nanocomposite could be considered as a promising cathode catalyst for alkaline fuel cells.