Metal-Phthalocyanine-Based Advanced Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Anion-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The advancement of anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) relies on the development of cost-effective and high-performance oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. Here, we report the synthesis of metal-phthalocyanine (MPc) catalysts (M = Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Ni, Li, Sn) via a simple, single-step, room-temperature ultrasonication process. N 2 adsorption–desorption isotherms and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirm successful MPc deposition onto the Ketjen Black (KB) support. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) micrographs and the electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) maps reveal a homogeneous distribution of the MPc catalysts. FePc/KB, MnPc/KB, and CoPc/KB demonstrated significant ORR activity in rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) tests. When integrated into cathodes, the FePc-, MnPc-, CoPc-, CuPc-, and NiPc/KB catalysts exhibited good operando H 2 –O 2 AEMFC performance. Among these, the FePc- and CoPc/KB catalysts achieved the highest specific peak power density of 524 and 605 mW mg –1, respectively, corresponding to 116% and 338% higher than the best performance previously reported for analogous nonpyrolyzed phthalocyanine-based catalysts. MnPc-, CuPc-, and NiPc/KB further confirmed the broad potential of MPc/KB catalysts as efficient AEMFC cathodes. This work establishes a direct correlation between the ORR catalytic performance of MPc/KB materials and their efficiency as AEMFC cathodes, offering valuable insights for future catalyst design and the widespread adoption of phthalocyanine-based catalysts and AEMFC technology.