Preprint of "Unravelling the Combined Effects of Thermal Modification and of the Carbon Support on Catalytic Performance of an Amorphous Electrocatalyst: Model Case of Enhanced ORR Performance of Co-Ni-Se"

Amorphous Co-Ni-Se catalyst is prepared by solvothermal method. The effect of the heat treatment, utilization of the carbon support and combined approach are investigated. The properties of the synthetized material are determined by SEM, TEM, XRD, XRF, BET, linear sweep voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Performance of the optimized catalyst is verified under the conditions of the liquid alkaline fuel cell. Results show that optimized 33 wt.% Ni-Co-Se/C (650 °C) catalyst can exceed platinum benchmark performance in laboratory fuel cell under alkaline conditions.