Iron phosphide/N, P-doped carbon nanosheets as highly efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction over the whole pH range. (10th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Kui; Xiao, Zhaohui; Cheng, Yi; Yan, Dafeng; Chen, Ru; Huo, Jia; Wang, Shuangyin
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 254(2017)
• Page Start: 280
• Page End: 286
• Publication Date: 2017-11-10
• Subjects: FexP -- N, P co-doping -- Oxygen reduction reaction -- Whole pH range; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.09.131
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Fex P nanoparticles-decorated N, P-doped mesoporous carbon nanosheets electrocatalysts were prepared with a one-pot way. The Fex P/NPCS catalyst shows outstanding ORR performance over the whole pH range. The Fex P/NPCS holds superior durability. This work broadens the application of iron phosphides in the field of electrocatalysis for fuel cell technologies. Abstract: Developing electrocatalysts with both high activity and low cost for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has attracted much attention. Herein, we fabricated iron phosphide/N, P-doped carbon nanosheets electrocatalysts via a one-pot pyrolysis process without any post-treatments, which shows high ORR activity over the whole pH range. In alkaline solution, the optimal catalyst exhibits almost the same onset potential (0.918 V vs RHE) and half-wave potential (0.832 V vs RHE) with commercial Pt/C (20 wt %), meanwhile it shows prominent catalytic activity compared with Pt/C in acidic and neutral media. Noteworthy, the catalyst catalyzes ORR process following a one-step 4e pathway in all these media and poses better tolerance toward methanol and greater durability than Pt/C. It was proved that Fex P (x = 1 or 2) and N, P-doped carbon synergistically contributed to the high ORR activity for the electrocatalysts. This work would broaden the application of iron phosphides in the field of electrocatalysis.