Effects of Surface Roughness and N-content on Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity for the Carbon-based Catalyst Derived from Poultry Featherfiber. (10th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharma, Raghunandan; Kar, Kamal K.
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 191(2016)
• Page Start: 876
• Page End: 886
• Publication Date: 2016-02-10
• Subjects: doped carbon -- ORR electrocatalyst -- biomass-derived carbon -- pyrolysis temperature -- microfibrous carbon; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.01.166
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: 3D networked, microfibers doped carbons are derived from poultry featherfibers. Effects of pyrolysis temperature on structure of the carbons are studied. Correlation between surface structure and ORR activity of the carbons is studied. Abstract: Heteroatom doped microfibrous carbon having 3D networked structure has been synthesized by pyrolysis of poultry featherfiber (PFF) at different temperatures ranging between 400 and 1000 °C. Structural parameters, namely surface roughness of the PFF derived carbon (CNx ) microfibers, concentrations and chemical states of the dopants, etc. have been found to vary significantly with pyrolysis temperature (Tp ). Further, correlations between oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and the structural parameters have been investigated. High ORR activities of the CNx synthesized at Tp ≥ 800 °C are correlated with their high surface roughness and high fractions of ORR active functionalities. The CNx samples synthesized at Tp ≥ 800 °C exhibit ORR activity higher than that of Pt. This, combined with the networked structure, high electrochemical as well as thermal stabilities and cost-efficient synthesis of the CNx make it interesting ORR electrocatalyst for low-working temperature fuel cells.