Microwave-hydrothermal synthesis of boron/nitrogen co-doped graphene as an efficient metal-free electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction. (21st December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Il To; Song, Myeong Jun; Kim, Young Bok; Shin, Moo Whan
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 41:Number 47(2016)
• Page Start: 22026
• Page End: 22033
• Publication Date: 2016-12-21
• Subjects: BN-doped graphene -- Microwave-hydrothermal -- Catalyst -- Oxygen reduction reaction -- Electrocatalyst; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.08.069
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, a facile microwave-hydrothermal method was successfully applied to synthesize boron and nitrogen co-doped graphene (BNG) electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). It consists of an efficient two-step process involving simultaneous doping with different heteroatoms (B and N) and reduction of doped graphene oxide. It was found that the B and N contents of highly reduced BN co-doped graphene (HRBNG) are 3.55 and 4.43 at%, respectively. The HRBNG exhibited clearly enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards the ORR in alkaline electrolytes. The electron transfer number (n) was obtained 3.53 ∼ 3.84 in potential range of 0.465 V–0.225 V, indicating that the HRBNG favors the four-electron pathway for the reduction of oxygen. These results demonstrate that the synthesized HRBNG has potential to replace expensive precious metal catalysts and also provide a new strategy to synthesize heteroatom-doped graphene-based catalyst. Highlights: BN co-doped graphene was synthesized by facile microwave-hydrothermal method. The method extremely shortens synthesis time. The catalyst exhibits improved ORR activity in alkaline solution. The ORR process of the catalyst occurs dominantly through a four-electron mechanism.