Green-synthesized ZrFeO nanoparticles as efficient cathode materials in PEM fuel cells

Suna Tarhan, Arzu Ekinci, Orhan Baytar, Abdurrahman Akdag, Ömer Şahin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study explores the application of ZrFeO nanoparticles, synthesized from fig leaf extract through a green synthesis method, as cathode materials for PEM fuel cells. The nanoparticles, doped with FeO and varying Zr ratios, were combined with Pt metal and characterized using XRD, SEM, EDX, and TEM to analyze their structural and morphological properties. The particle sizes for FeO and Zr-doped FeO were determined to be 2 nm and 2.5 nm, respectively. The electrochemical active surface areas of the catalysts—Pt-FeO/C and Zr-doped variants (PtFeO/C-1 wt%Zr, PtFeO/C-5 wt%Zr, and PtFeO/C-10 wt%Zr)—were measured as 97, 154, 138, and 119 m2/gPt, respectively, demonstrating a significant enhancement in surface area with the incorporation of Zr at optimal doping levels. Catalyst retention after 250 cycles was 29% for Pt–FeO/C, 60% for 1 wt% Zr-doped Pt–ZrFeO/C, 93% for 5 wt% Zr-doped Pt–ZrFeO, and 71% for 10 wt% Zr-doped Pt–ZrFeO. Performance testing at 70 °C revealed a hierarchy of catalytic activity: Pt–ZrFeO/C > Pt–FeO/C > Pt/C. The findings highlight the potential of green-synthesized ZrFeO nanoparticles as effective support materials for cathode catalysts, offering improved performance in PEM fuel cells while markedly reducing platinum dependency. This innovative approach integrates environmental sustainability with technological progress in fuel cell applications.

Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC

Keywords

  • Cathode
  • Green synthesis
  • Nanoparticles
  • PEM fuel cells
  • ZrFeO

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