New Platinum-free Carbon Nitride Electrocatalysts for PEMFCs Prepared Using as Precursors PAN/M(CNCH3)x Complexes (M = Pd, Co, Au, Ni)

A new synthesis protocol aimed at the preparation of palladium-based, platinum-free carbon nitride electroctatalysts for PEMFCs is described. First, a metallorganic precursor is prepared by coordinating metal complexes with a nitrogen-ligand macromolecule; second, a suitable thermal treatment is applied to the precursor to obtain the final electrocatalyst materials. This protocol allows to prepare materials having a well-controlled chemical composition and including in their structure a significant amount of nitrogen. These systems proved to be more resistant to oxidative decomposition with respect to standard carbon-supported electrocatalysts. The temperature of the final thermal treatment tf is a crucial parameter to modulate in order to control the final electrochemical properties of these materials. A significant mass activity in the HOR and the ORR was observed, making this protocol feasible for the preparation of promising electrocatalyst materials for PEMFCs and DMFCs.