Catalytic Activity of Partially Oxidized Transition-metal Carbide–Nitride for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Sulfuric Acid

Abstract

Abstract In order to commercialize polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) widely, partially oxidized transition-metal carbide–nitride (TM-C–N; TM = Ti, Zr, and Ta) have been investigated as new cathodes without platinum. The specimens were prepared by the electrophoretic deposition of the transition-metal carbide–nitride on titanium plate and were heat-treated at 1000 °C under flowing 2%-H2/N2 gas containing ca. 0.25% oxygen. Partially oxidized Ta-based catalysts had highest catalytic activity, followed by Ti- and Zr-based catalysts.