Oxide-Based Electrocatalysts toward Oxygen Reduction Reaction as Non Pt Cathodes for PEFC

Abstract

Development of non-platinum cathode is required to commercialize polymer electrolyte fuel cells. We have investigated group 4 and 5 transition metal oxides, because they have high chemical stability under acidic atmosphere, and their costs are lower than that of platinum. In this paper, tantalum oxide-based cathodes were made from oxy-tantalum phthalocyanines by heat treatment under low oxygen partial pressure. We examined the factors which influence oxygen reduction reaction activity. According to XRD patterns, peak position and full width at half maximum of Ta 2 O 5 0 0 1 were correlated with onset potential. In addition, it was found that amount of deposited carbon which supported electron conductivity on tantalum oxide was correlated with oxygen reduction current density.