Process for producing catalyst for direct-liquid fuel cell, catalyst produced by the process and uses thereof

Abstract

In a direct-liquid fuel cell supplied directly with a liquid fuel, a process for producing an electrode catalyst for a direct-liquid fuel cell is provided which is capable of suppressing decrease in cathode potential caused by liquid fuel crossover and providing an inexpensive and high-performance electrode catalyst for a direct-liquid fuel cell. The process for producing an electrode catalyst for a direct-liquid fuel cell includes Step A of mixing at least a transition metal-containing compound with a nitrogen-containing organic compound to obtain a catalyst precursor composition, and Step C of heat-treating the catalyst precursor composition at a temperature of from 500 to 1100° C. to obtain an electrode catalyst, wherein part or entirety of the transition metal-containing compound includes, as a transition metal element, at least one transition metal element M1 selected from Group IV and Group V elements of the periodic table.