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Title
Japanese:Leveraging a 2+2 Electron Pathway to Realize Efficient Oxygen Reduction with Stable Co-Based Cathode Catalysts in PEM Fuel Cells 
English:Leveraging a 2+2 Electron Pathway to Realize Efficient Oxygen Reduction with Stable Co-Based Cathode Catalysts in PEM Fuel Cells 
Author
Japanese: 胡家威, Katsuaki Hori, 永田信輔, Junya Ohyama, Zhiqing Feng, Hideo Notsu, Mami Miyoshi, Yasuko Takeda, 畠山歓, 早川晃鏡, Yuta Nabae.  
English: Jiawei Hu, Katsuaki Hori, shinsuke nagata, Junya Ohyama, Zhiqing Feng, Hideo Notsu, Mami Miyoshi, Yasuko Takeda, Kan Hatakeyama, Teruaki Hayakawa, Yuta Nabae.  
Language English 
Journal/Book name
Japanese:ACS Electrochemistry 
English:ACS Electrochemistry 
Volume, Number, Page Vol. 1    No. 10    pp. 2139-2148
Published date Sept. 2025 
Publisher
Japanese:American Chemical Society 
English:American Chemical Society 
Conference name
Japanese: 
English: 
Conference site
Japanese: 
English: 
Official URL https://doi.org/10.1021/acselectrochem.5c00205
 
DOI https://doi.org/10.1021/acselectrochem.5c00205
Abstract Nitrogen-coordinated cobalt (Co窶哲x) moieties are recognized as active sites for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), especially in acidic proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Herein, we report a high-surface-area cobalt窶渡itrogen窶田arbon (Co/N/C) catalyst synthesized via ammonia-assisted pyrolysis of a cobalt-containing polyimide precursor. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed cobalt nanoparticles encapsulated in graphitic carbon shells provided structural stability and enhanced conductivity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and NO2窶� reduction experiments confirmed the formation of Co窶哲x sites with an active site density of 0.434 ﾃ� 1019 sites g窶�1. Despite a low cobalt loading (1.67 wt %), the catalyst achieved a turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.19 s窶�1 at 0.8 V (vs RHE), surpassing many high-Co-loading references. Kinetic analysis based on the Nabae model revealed a 2 + 2 electron pathway, wherein H2O2 generated from the initial two-electron reduction is further reduced. When tested in a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the catalyst exhibited stable fuel cell performance for over 400 h, demonstrating excellent durability and practical viability.

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