Fe-C-N Catalysts Prepared by Magnetron Sputtering for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in a Neutral Solution

Abstract:

Non-precious metal Fe-C-N thin films were prepared by magnetron sputtering at different sputtering currents applied on a Fe target. The films were subsequently heated at 700 °C in N₂ atmosphere. Fe-C-N thin films were investigated as an alternative cathode catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in a neutral solution. The results indicated that the catalytic activity of Fe-C-N thin films for the ORR increased with the increase of the sputtering current. When the sputtering current was 0.2 A, limiting current density was 5.50 mA cm^-2 and onset potential was-0.10 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which were comparable with those of commercial Pt/C catalysts. The current density of films was unchanged in 5000 seconds in the chronoamperometric experiment, indicating that the catalytic activity was very stable in a neutral solution for potential use in microbial fuel cells.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 672-674)
• Pages: 609-612
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.672-674.609
• Online since: October 2014
• Authors: Jing Yan Chen*, Xiao Guang He, Hai Yan Qi, Hao Chen Shi, Feng Gao
• Keywords: Iron-Carbon-Nitrogen Thin Film, Magnetron Sputtering, Microbial Fuel Cells, Neutral Solution, Oxygen Reduction Reaction

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