Multi-Metal Nano-Electrocatalysts Based on Carbon Nitride Supports for the ORR and FOR in PEM Fuel Cells

New multi-metal nano-electrocatalysts based on carbon nitride supports provide a viable strategy to overcome the drawbacks of the current state-of-the-art systems used to promote the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the fuel oxidation reaction (FOR) in PEM fuel cells. These new materials are prepared by decomposing in an inert atmosphere a homogenous precursor obtained by coordinating the desired metal centers with a suitable organic binder. A systematic investigation of electrocatalysts with different metal and nitrogen concentrations combined with an examination of the effect of the preparation parameters result in a framework that can be used to optimize the performance of this family of electrocatalysts. The best results are obtained from systems with a "core-shell" morphology, where an active carbon core supports a shell of multi-metal carbon nitrides with a low nitrogen concentration. Promising results are also obtained in the FOR for methanol and ethanol oxidation processes in acidic conditions.