Oxygen reduction in acid media: influence of the heat treatment on the FeNPc(1–20 isomer mixture impregnated on carbon blacks and active charcoals
Oxygen reduction with the aid of a number of FeNPc(1–2) impregnated carbon supports in sulphuric acid solutions has been investigated. 
 
Loading of the carbon samples amounted to about 10 wt.%. After a 10 day stay in the aerated solutions the samples were investigated with rotating disk electrode and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. The most active and stable samples correspond to mono- or submonolayers of FeNPc deposited on high dibutylphthalate adsorption carbon blacks. Comparison with data obtained previously on Norit BrX impregnations emphasizes the role of the electron density on the inner nitrogen atoms rather than that on the iron centres.
The Effect of Heat Treatment Atmospheres on the Electrocatalytic Activity of Cobalt Tetraazaannulenes: Preliminary Results
Abstract Ambient heat treatment atmospheres have been found to have significant effect on the oxygen reduction catalytic activity of Co tetraazaannulene and its dibromo derivative. Two macrocyclic chelates were absorbed on acetylene black carbon from DMF (dimethyl formamide) solutions, then heat treated in each of the following environments: N 2 , Ar, vacuum and nitrogen passed over heated copper turnings. Electrodes were prepared by pasting the catalyst mixed with a Teflon slurry onto a carbon cloth. The catalytic activity was evaluated from steady state current vs voltage measurements for the electrochemical reduction of oxygen in 4 N H 2 SO 4 . The results indicate that the activity of the two chelates is influenced by the ambient atmospheres of heat treatment. ESCA examination of the adsorbed Co tetraazaannulene dibromide on the acetylene black carbon heat treated in N 2 and vacuum indicated evidence of bonding with the carbon surface for the former and possible polymerization of the catalyst on the surface for the latter.
Oxidation of iron and molybdenum naphthalocyanines. X-ray photoelectron studies in relation to the electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction and evolution
C 1s, N 1s, O 1s, Fe 2p and Mo 3d X-ray photoelectron core-level spectra of newly synthesized iron and molybdenum naphthalocyanines have been recorded following exposure to air for different times. The observed modifications of the C 1s and N 1s lines provide information on the electronic structure perturbations related to dioxygen fixation, and the intensity and shape of the O 1s, Fe 2p and Mo 3d peaks provide information on the rates of oxidation, the coordination number of the central metal ion and the kinetics of oxygen penetration into the bulk. From these X.p.s. results, new methods are suggested for the synthesis of compounds of electrochemical interest.