A Versatile Preparation of Highly Active ZIF-Based Non-PGM Catalysts through Solid State Synthesis

Current proton exchange membrane fuel cell uses precious metal such as platinum as the catalyst to promote electrochemical reactions at both electrodes, which presents a significant cost barrier for large scale fuel cell commercialization. To replace precious metal with other low cost, earth-abundant materials represents a critical yet incredible challenging area in future fuel cell research. To compete with the precious metal based catalyst, the non-platinum group metal (non-PGM) materials must have higher active site density and improved turn-over-frequency. In this report, we discuss a new method of preparing “support-free”, low-cost non-PGM catalysts produced by using “one-pot” synthesized metal-organic frameworks. The new approach led to the formation of catalysts with high-density of active site and high efficiency towards the oxygen reduction reaction in the acidic medium, measured by rotating disk electrode in oxygen saturated electrolyte and under single fuel cell operating condition.