Non-platinum group metal electrocatalysts using metal organic framework materials and method of preparation
First Claim
1. A method of preparing a high surface area electrode catalyst free of platinum group metals (PGM) for use in a fuel cell, comprising:
- mixing a metal oxide secondary building unit, a nitrogen-containing organic ligand, and transition metal complex to form a uniform, solid mixture;
applying a first heat treatment to the uniform solid mixture sufficient to melt the organic ligand;
reacting the organic ligand with the metal oxide secondary building unit and the transition metal complex to form a metal organic framework (“
MOF”
), wherein the MOF includes nitrogen from the nitrogen-containing organic ligand and a metal from the metal oxide secondary building unit;
applying a second heat treatment, converting organic components of the MOF to a carbonaceous material; and
forming a catalytically active site by reacting the transition metal in the MOF with nitrogen in the MOF.
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Abstract
A method of preparing a nitrogen containing electrode catalyst by converting a high surface area metal-organic framework (MOF) material free of platinum group metals that includes a transition metal, an organic ligand, and an organic solvent via a high temperature thermal treatment to form catalytic active sites in the MOF. At least a portion of the contained organic solvent may be replaced with a nitrogen containing organic solvent or an organometallic compound or a transition metal salt to enhance catalytic performance. The electrode catalysts may be used in various electrochemical systems, including an alkaline fuel cell.
11 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of preparing a high surface area electrode catalyst free of platinum group metals (PGM) for use in a fuel cell, comprising:
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mixing a metal oxide secondary building unit, a nitrogen-containing organic ligand, and transition metal complex to form a uniform, solid mixture; applying a first heat treatment to the uniform solid mixture sufficient to melt the organic ligand; reacting the organic ligand with the metal oxide secondary building unit and the transition metal complex to form a metal organic framework (“
MOF”
), wherein the MOF includes nitrogen from the nitrogen-containing organic ligand and a metal from the metal oxide secondary building unit;applying a second heat treatment, converting organic components of the MOF to a carbonaceous material; and forming a catalytically active site by reacting the transition metal in the MOF with nitrogen in the MOF. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification