Biomass-derived nitrogen and boron dual-doped hollow carbon tube as cost-effective and stable synergistic catalyst for oxygen electroreduction. (20th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cao, Chun; Wei, Liling; Zhai, Qiran; Wang, Gang; Shen, Jianquan
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 249(2017)
• Page Start: 328
• Page End: 336
• Publication Date: 2017-09-20
• Subjects: Oxygen reduction reaction -- N/B co-doped carbon -- B-C-N -- Synergistic effect; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.08.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: 1 Low-cost N/B co-doped carbon was prepared from renewable biomass. 2 NB-HCT exhibited comparable ORR activity and better stability than Pt/C. 3 Superior ORR activity of NB-HCT was ascribed to synergistic catalysis effect. Abstract: Low-cost and highly active catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were of great importance to the development of fuel cell. Herein, we presented a novel N/B co-doped carbon as cost-effective and stable ORR catalyst from renewable biomass. The as-prepared carbon showed an interesting hollow tube morphology that derived from its precursor. The N/B co-doped sample (NB-HCT) possessed bigger electrochemical active area (296.4 m 2 g −1 ), and also contained much more ORR active-N/B species than those of single N or B doped carbon. Notability, the on-set potential and half-wave potential of NB-HCT were 0.929 V (vs. RHE) and 0.810 V (vs. RHE), respectively, which were much more positive than others and even comparable to Pt/C, revealing it had distinct ORR activity. Remarkably, the superior ORR activity of NB-HCT could be mainly ascribed to the synergistic effect of ORR active-N and B-C, which might result in the possible formation of high-active B-C-N nanostructure. Therefore, NB-HCT should be one of promising ORR catalysts to alternative precious Pt/C and promote the development of fuel cell.