Tailor of high performance electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction through rational structural adjustment of carbon-based architecture. (18th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Xiaobo; Zhang, Xiangkun; Hu, Wenhui; Huang, Yongmin
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 45:Number 15(2020)
• Page Start: 8466
• Page End: 8478
• Publication Date: 2020-03-18
• Subjects: Cathode catalysts -- Oxygen reduction reaction -- Ferric phosphides -- Carbon nanosheets; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.01.036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: The shortage of high effective and reliable cathode catalysts with desirable performance for oxygen reduction needs to be addressed to accelerate the large-scale expansion of clean and sustainable fuel cells. Herein, we report a facile hydrothermal route to tailor a new type of N, P co-doped carbon architecture with Fe2 P nanoparticles embedded/encapsulated in the crumped carbon nanosheets. The rational design of carbon shell structure in strong interaction with rGO endows the catalyst with graphitic-N abundance, mesoporous structure dominance and active Fe2 P isolation. We propose the pyrolyzed dicyandiamide-derived carbon fragment as not only an additional nitrogen resource but a favorable micro-structured separator and protective porous layer for metal agglomeration and demetallation, which ensures the catalyst with excellent activity and stability. The co-doped carbon shows excellent activity with positive half-wave potential of +0.823 V via complete 4 electron pathway, close to that of Pt/C material (+0.831 V). The inspiring durability is confirmed by merely 2 mV negative potential shifts after 1000 cycles of CV tests. In the end, this paper provides a promising way to develop a high effective carbon-based bifunctional catalyst for both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions through electronic design and structural engineering. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A highly efficient electrocatalyst for ORR is designed. The catalyst possesses high surface area and unique hierarchical porous structure. The significance of dicyandiamide-derived fragments in electrocatalysis is stressed. The decent catalytic activity for OER is highlighted.