Influence of the synthesis parameters on the proton exchange membrane fuel cells performance of Fe–N–C aerogel catalysts

Fe–N–C aerogel catalysts were prepared by sol–gel polycondensation of resorcinol, melamine and formaldehyde precursors in the presence FeCl3 salt, followed supercritical drying thermal treatments. The effect mass ratio on microstructure, iron speciation oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance aerogels was investigated N2 sorption, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, photoelectron spectroscopy, Mössbauer absorption CO chemisorption rotating disk electrode acidic medium. best ORR (activity transport) obtained an optimum balance between pore structure active Fe-Nx species. Through acid washing, durability catalyst further improved eliminating unstable inactive species, particularly nanoparticles carbide. From turnover-frequency value, surface sites comparable with highest values reported literature. Finally, implemented a membrane–electrode assembly area 25 cm2 tested single cell, emphasizing importance ink formulation performance.