Facile synthesis of N, P-doped hierarchical porous carbon framework catalysts based on gelatin/phytic acid supermolecules for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction. (1st March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mao, Xinxin; Cao, Zhaoxia; Chen, Shengnan; Jia, Jingyi; Li, Xiangnan; Yin, Yanhong; Yang, Shuting
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 44:Number 12(2019)
• Page Start: 5890
• Page End: 5898
• Publication Date: 2019-03-01
• Subjects: Electrocatalyst -- Biological material -- Porous carbon frameworks -- N, P-doping -- Direct pyrolysis method; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.01.044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: The design of porous carbon frameworks with high-density distributions of dopant sites, especially those derived from renewable biomaterials, is highly desirable to improve the activity of nonprecious porous carbon catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this paper, we prepared N, P-doped hierarchical porous carbon catalysts via a direct pyrolysis of a gelatin/phytic acid supermolecular aggregate without extra activation processes. The optimal catalyst materials (NPC1000) showed not only the highest N and P contents but also the highest specific surface area, total pore volume and mesoporous pore volume, which are also higher than those of the contrast sample prepared with a chitosan/phytic acid supermolecular aggregate. Thus, the sample NPC1000 had the best electrocatalytic activity compared with the Pt/C catalyst, which was nearly a direct four-electron reaction. The sample also had higher stability and methanol tolerance than Pt/C. This work provides a simple, economical and environmentally friendly method to prepare nonprecious porous carbon catalysts with the desired properties. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Biological materials gelatin and phytic acid are used as raw materials. Porous carbon framework featuring sheets own large surface area and pore volume. The one-step pyrolysis method is facile without activation. The high ORR activity is attributed to high N and P content and unique structure. Especially, the mesoporosity play a crucial role in boosting the ORR performance.