Chemical synthesis and characterization of MoxRuySez–(CO)n electrocatalysts

MoxRuySez–(CO)n electrocatalyst was prepared by a chemical pyrolysis of Ru3(CO)12+Mo(CO)6+Se mixture at 140°C and sintering in Se atmosphere in a tubular furnace at 250°C. The catalyst was characterized using techniques such as XRD (X-ray diffraction) SEM (scanning electron microscopy), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), voltametry and polarization (current-potential) measurements. The results indicated that chemically synthesized MoxRuySez–(CO)n is near amorphous in nature and possesses appreciable catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction in a polymer electrolyte (nafion membrane) fuel cell. The electrocatalytic activity seems to diminish with Se incorporation in the lattice of the Mo–Ru–carbonyl clusters formed during synthesis.