Direct synthesis of nitrogen-rich carbon sheets via polybenzoxazine as highly active electrocatalyst for water splitting. (19th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thirukumaran, Periyasamy; Atchudan, Raji; Balasubramanian, Rukmanikrishnan; Parveen, Asrafali Shakila; Kim, Seong-Cheol
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 43:Number 29(2018)
• Page Start: 13266
• Page End: 13275
• Publication Date: 2018-07-19
• Subjects: Polybenzoxazine -- Nitrogen-rich carbon sheets -- Electrocatalyst -- Hydrogen evolution reaction -- Water splitting; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.05.108
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, we propose a novel nitrogen-rich carbon sheets (N-CSs), with conceivable use as efficient catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). N-CSs are directly synthesized from polybenzoxazine (PBz) by carbonization followed by KOH activation. PBz was prepared from eugenol, melamine, and paraformaldehyde through ring-opening polymerization. FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy confirmed the corresponding chemical structures of the new benzoxazine monomer. The morphology, structure and surface properties of the N-CSs are investigated by Raman spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of N-CSs towards HER is thoroughly investigated by electrochemical techniques. In N-CSs, it is established that nitrogen gratified electrocatalytic activity, and hence nitrogen atoms should enhance the electrocatalytic properties by increasing the active sites. As the kinetic current is stabilized by the outer nitrogen atom as such, HER is proposed to proceed on these active sites by the Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanism. The N-CSs show outstanding catalytic activity towards HER with lowest onset-potential (−10 mVRHE ) and Tafel slope (45 mV dec −1 ) in 0.5 M H2 SO4 aqueous electrolyte. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A novel N-rich carbon sheets were synthesized from bio-based Polybenzoxazine. Polybenzoxazine based N-rich carbon sheets can be prepared within short time. NCS show promising catalytic activity towards HER with Tafel slope of 45 mV dec −1 . This type of metal-free materials makes crucial development toward energy fields.