An innovative family of electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR): plurimetallic alloy nanoparticles embedded in carbon nitride “shells” supported on conducting nanostructured “cores”

The high efficiency, power density and compatibility with the environment of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) make them highly attractive for a variety of applications including light-duty vehicles and distributed power generation. The operation of PEMFCs requires suitable electrocatalysts to achieve the optimum performance. This issue is of great relevance for the electrocatalysts meant to promote the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The ORR is sluggish, and even the best state-of-the-art electrocatalysts suffer from a variety of drawbacks including large overpotentials, a relatively poor durability and a high cost. Indeed, the best performance is afforded by materials characterized by platinum nanoparticles supported on conductive carbons showing a large surface area.