Nitrogen-doped amorphous carbon with effective electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Chuansheng; Li, Lin; Zhang, Tingting; Sun, Fengzhan; Wang, Chao; Lin, Yuqing
• Is Part Of: Materials research bulletin. Volume 84(2016)
• Page Start: 118
• Page End: 123
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: A. Microporous materials -- A. Nanostructures -- B. Microstructure -- C. Infrared spectroscopy -- D. Catalytic properties -- D. Electrochemical properties; Materials -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Crystal growth; Materials; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2016.07.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-5408

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The NDAC are synthesized by one-step pyrolyzing dopamine in N2 atmosphere. The NDAC-700 demonstrated a considerable positive onset potential toward ORR. The NDAC-700 has long-term stability and tolerance to methanol than Pt-C (20%). Abstract: Highly efficient metal-free catalysts to improve the performance of oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) have attracted significant attention. Here, nitrogen-doped amorphous carbon (NDAC) were synthesized with a one-step method that pyrolyzed dopamine in a N2 atmosphere at 700 °C, 800 °C, and 900 °C (NDAC-700, NDAC-800, and NDAC-900, respectively). The NDAC-700 demonstrates good catalytic activity with terrific positive onset potential (0.96 V VS RHE), which is close to Pt-C (1.0 V) (20%) toward ORR. Moreover, versus commercial Pt/C (20%) catalyst, it has better long-term operational stability and tolerance to methanol for ORR in alkaline solution. This exciting result increases the possibility of large-scale application of metal-free nanomaterials in fuel cells.