Development of Mox Ruy Sez (CO)n electrocatalysts by screen printing and sintering for fuel cell applications

Abstract Electrocatalysts based on molybdenum, ruthenium, and selenium were prepared by screen printing Ru3 (CO)12 + Se and Ru3 (CO)12 + Mo(CO)6 + Se mixtures and subsequent sintering at 250°C in air or Se atmosphere in a tubular furnace. The catalysts were characterised using techniques such as XRD, SEM, TEM, voltammetry, and polarisation (current–potential) measurements. The results indicate that screen printed Rux Sey (CO)n and Mox Ruy Sez (CO)n are near amorphous in nature and possess appreciable catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction in a polymer electrolyte (Nafion membrane) fuel cell. The electrocatalytic activity seems to diminish with selenium incorporation in the lattice of the carbonyl clusters formed during synthesis.

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