Morphological Ensembles of N‐Doped Porous Carbon Derived from ZIF‐8/Fe‐Graphene Nanocomposites: Processing and Electrocatalytic Studies. Issue 30 (9th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thomas, Minju; Illathvalappil, Rajith; Kurungot, Sreekumar; Nair, Balagopal N.; Mohamed, A. Peer; Anilkumar, Gopinathan M.; Yamaguchi, Takeo; Hareesh, U. S.
• Is Part Of: ChemistrySelect. Volume 3:Issue 30(2018)
• Page Start: 8688
• Page End: 8697
• Publication Date: 2018-08-09
• Subjects: Electrocatalyst -- Fuel Cell -- N- Fe co-doped carbon -- Oxygen Reduction Reaction -- ZIF-8; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1002/slct.201801419
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2365-6549

Abstract

Abstract: Engineering the active site density of porous carbon catalysts for enhanced electrocatalytic activity is the current focus in the quest for economically viable fuel cells. Herein, we synthesise ZIF‐8/Fe‐graphene composites for the formation of N and Fe co‐doped carbon with diverse morphologies ranging from tubes and sheets to frameworks of carbon. A synthetic strategy involving the one pot synthesis of ZIF‐8 based composites is accomplished by the reaction of 2‐methylimidazole with mixed Zn/Fe salt solution containing graphene dispersions. The high temperature heat treatment of this precursor mix yielded micro‐meso porous architectures of N, Fe co‐doped carbon with dispersions of Fe/Fe3 C. An onset potential value of 0.95 V and a half‐wave potential of 0.82 V coupled with excellent durability and stability in alkaline medium indicated improved electrocatalytic performances over its commercial Pt/C counterpart. The appreciable electrocatalytic properties of the synthesized carbon are attributed to its morphological diversity, hybrid structure, high N doping and its heteroporous characteristics. The dispersed Fe/Fe3 C and FeNx sites facilitated enhanced oxygen adsorption and the graphene inclusions in the composite provided retention of high nitrogen contents. Abstract : Micro‐meso porous architectures of N, Fe co‐doped carbon containing dispersions of Fe/Fe3 C showed excellent stability in alkaline medium. An onset potential value of 0.95 V and a half‐wave potential of 0.82 V for nearly 5000 cycles indicated improved electrocatalytic performances over its commercial Pt/C counterpart.