Manganese-based non-precious metal catalyst for oxygen reduction in acidic media

Non-precious metal catalysts (NPMCs) based on manganese (Mn) are prepared by heat treating polyaniline (PANI), manganese acetate and Ketjenblack EC300J (KJ) carbon supports. Using a heat treatment temperature of 950oC, followed by an acid leaching and second heat treatment step, Mn-PANI-KJ catalysts are found to provide onset and half-wave potentials of ca. 0.90 and 0.77 V vs. RHE, respectively, in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte. After 5,000 cycles of electrochemical durability testing, Mn-PANI-KJ demonstrates a half-wave potential loss of only ca. 20 mV, superior to the 80 mV loss for our previously developed iron (Fe)-PANI-KJ catalyst.