Fe3C nanoparticles decorated Fe/N codoped graphene-like hierarchically carbon nanosheets for effective oxygen electrocatalysis. (7th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cao, Zhaoxia; Jia, Jingyi; Li, Haohan; Wang, Yuhe; Mao, Xinxin; Zhang, Zhennan; Yang, Mingguo; Yang, Shuting
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 45:Number 7(2020)
• Page Start: 3930
• Page End: 3939
• Publication Date: 2020-02-07
• Subjects: Fe/N codoping -- Fe3C nanoparticle -- Graphene-like carbon nanosheets -- Hierarchically porous -- Oxygen electrocatalyst; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.12.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Hierarchically porous carbon sheets decorated with transition metal carbides nanoparticles and metal-nitrogen coordinative sites have been proposed as the promising non-precious metal oxygen electrocatalysts. In this work, we demonstrate a facile and low-cost strategy to in situ form Fe/N codoped hierarchically porous graphene-like carbon nanosheets abundant in Fe-N x sites and Fe3 C nanoparticles (Fe–N/C) from pyrolyzing chestnut shell precursor. The as-prepared Fe–N/C samples with abundant Fe-N x sites and Fe3 C nanoparticles show superior electrocatalytic activity to oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the alkaline medium as well as high stability and methanol tolerance due to the integration of multi-factors: the high content of Fe-N x active sites, the coexistence of Fe3 C, the unique hierarchically porous structure and high conductivity of carbon matrix. The optimal Fe–N/C-2-900 sample exhibits a more positive half-wave potential (−0.122 V vs. Ag/AgCl (3 M) reference electrode) than commercial 20 wt% Pt/C catalyst. This study provides a facile approach to synthesize Fe3 C nanoparticles decorated Fe/N co-doped hierarchically porous carbon materials for effective oxygen electrocatalyst. Highlights: Hierarchically porous graphene-like carbon nanosheets were successfully synthesized. The highly graphitized carbon nanosheets are abundant in Fe related active sites (Fe-N x and Fe3 C). The optimal sample can act as an effective oxygen electrocatalyst for ORR.