Mesoporous chromium nitride as a high performance non-carbon support for the oxygen reduction reaction

Mesoporous chromium nitride (CrN) was prepared by a solid-solid phase separation method and was further evaluated as a support for Pt in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Pt/CrN exhibits higher electrocatalytic activity and stability than Pt/C toward the ORR, which may be attributed to the excellent electronic conductivity, and chemical and electrochemical stability of CrN. The fact that CrN is at least as good as carbon black as a support for the Pt based ORR is remarkable, since few affordable alternatives to carbon black exist.