Hierarchically Porous Co3C/Co-N-C/G Modified Graphitic Carbon: A Trifunctional Corrosion-Resistant Electrode for Oxygen Reduction, Hydrogen Evolution and Oxygen Evolution Reactions. (10th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ma, Xiu-Xiu; He, Xing-Quan; Asefa, Tewodros
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 257(2017)
• Page Start: 40
• Page End: 48
• Publication Date: 2017-12-10
• Subjects: Co3C/Co-N-C/G -- hierarchical nanostructure -- oxygen reduction reaction -- hydrogen evolution reaction -- oxygen evolution reaction; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.10.081
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: A robust electrocatalyst Co3 C/Co-N-C/G for ORR, HER and OER was prepared using acid-base reaction induced hydrothermal and carbonization procedures. Highlights: A self-assembly hydrothermal method coupling with pyrolysis was used. Co displayed strong interaction with N even after acid washing. The Co3 C/Co-N-C/G hybrid showed good ORR, HER and OER performance. The synergistic effects among components promoted the electrocatalytic activity. Abstract: Developing highly active and robust electrode catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and oxygen evolution reaction is critical for realizing efficient energy conversion and storage devices. In this work, we synthesize a hierarchically porous electrocatalyst (Co3 C/Co-N-C/G) via a two-step process including hydrothermal and pyrolysis procedures. During the hydrothermal process, an acid-base reaction is induced to create abundant defects in the materials. Physicochemical characterizations of the catalyst suggest that the starting material of pyridine-3, 4-dicarbonitrile leads to graphitic carbon structure, and stable Co-N-C and Co3 C active centers are generated. Due to the synergistic effects among the components, the catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activity for oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions, with performance comparable to those of the benchmark 20 wt% Pt/C, as well as good catalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction, with a performance rivaling that of RuO2 . The high catalytic performance of Co3 C/Co-N-C/G makes it a promising candidate for energy conversion and storage devices.