Block copolymer templated carbonization of nitrogen containing polymer to create fine and mesoporous carbon for oxygen reduction catalyst. Issue 3 (24th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nabae, Yuta; Nagata, Shinsuke; Ohnishi, Koshi; Liu, Yuanyuan; Sheng, Li; Wang, Xiaolin; Hayakawa, Teruaki
• Is Part Of: Journal of polymer science. Volume 55:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 464
• Page End: 470
• Publication Date: 2016-11-24
• Subjects: block copolymer -- cathode -- fuel cell -- self‐assembly -- soft template; 547
• DOI: 10.1002/pola.28424
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-624X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study demonstrates the synthesis of mesoporous carbon materials utilizing the self‐assembly of a block copolymer and its electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction. Fine and mesoporous carbon containing ferrum (Fe) and nitrogen (N) species has been successfully synthesized by multi‐step pyrolysis of a self‐assembled imide film fabricated via a soft template approach. The obtained sample has well‐ordered mesostructure accompanied by uniform pores with diameter of 4.8 nm and BET surface area of 1660 m 2 g −1 . This material is tough enough to retain its mesostructured even after mechanical ball milling, which will be essential in the application as a fuel cell catalyst. Promising catalytic activity for electrochemical oxygen reduction owing to enhanced mass transport has been demonstrated. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem.2017, 55, 464–470 Abstract : Fine and mesoporous carbon containing ferrum (Fe) and nitrogen (N) species has been successfully synthesized by carbonizing a self‐assembled imide film fabricated by a simple soft template approach. This material shows promising catalytic activity for electrochemical oxygen reduction without Pt, which is a very important reaction in fuel cells, owing to enhanced mass transport.