Co‐Doping of Activated Graphene for Synergistically Enhanced Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction Reaction. Issue 23 (13th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hassan, Mahbub; Haque, Enamul; Minett, Andrew I.; Gomes, Vincent G.
• Is Part Of: ChemSusChem. Volume 8:Issue 23(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 4040
• Page End: 4048
• Publication Date: 2015-11-13
• Subjects: doping -- graphene -- electrocatalysis -- fuel cells -- oxygen reduction reaction; Green chemistry -- Periodicals; Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201501016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-5631

Abstract

Abstract: Doping of graphene has emerged as a key strategy to improve the electrocatalytic performance of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Activated graphene co‐doped with iodine and nitrogen atoms (NIG) was developed in this work using a facile scalable approach. The onset potential, current density, and four‐electron reduction pathway of the newly developed catalyst were significantly improved. The charge‐transfer resistance of co‐doped NIG was found to be much lower than nitrogen‐doped graphene (NG); furthermore, the stability of NIG and its resistance to methanol crossover were also improved. The synergistically enhanced ORR performance of NIG was found to be a result of a high strain and size advantage of the larger iodine atom clusters (compared to nitrogen), which facilitate the simultaneous enrichment of anode electrons and O2 and H2 O molecule transport at catalytic sites, inducing four‐electron transfer in a single step. These results are promising for application in alkaline fuel cells. Abstract : Co‐doping activated graphene : Iodine and nitrogen co‐doping graphene (NIG) is reported for the first time using poly(aniline) (PANI) nanospheres, iodine, and activated graphene, resulting in enhanced surface area, direct four‐electron reaction pathway, high onset potential, high current density, excellent resistance to methanol poisoning, and superior catalytic performance for the oxygen reduction reaction.