Fe-N-C CATALYST, METHOD OF PREPARATION AND USES THEREOF

A method for the preparation of a catalyst material comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a Fe(II)-doped Zn-zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF) in dried form under inert atmosphere;
• b) subjecting said Fe(II)-doped Zn-ZIF to a pyrolysis under inert atmosphere for about 2 to about 24 hours;
• and
• c) collecting the obtained pyrolysis product as a catalyst material,
• wherein the providing a Fe(II)-doped Zn-zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF) is obtained by a method comprising the steps of:
• (i) providing an imidazole or imidazole derivative precursor;
• (ii) dissolving the said imidazole or imidazole derivative precursor in degassed polar solvent, in a reductive atmosphere to prevent the oxidation of Fe2+ cations to obtain a solution A;
• (iii) dissolving an iron (II) precursor and a Zn salt in degassed non-aqueous polar solvent to obtain a solution B;
• (iv) adding solution B into solution A;
• (v) collecting and washing the precipitate;
• and
• (vi) leaving the washed precipitate drying at room temperature to obtain a Fe(II)-doped Zn-zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF) in the form of a dry powder, wherein steps (ii) to (iv) are conducted under stirring and step (iv) is conducted in an inert atmosphere, wherein the reductive environment is achieved by the introduction of at least one reductive agent being an iodide derivative, and wherein the obtained Fe(II)-doped Zn-ZIF material is essentially free from Fe(III).