ChemElectroChem · 2015 · 74 citations · 58 references
Natural SciencesChemical EngineeringMaterials ScienceCatalysisElectrochemistryMaterials ChemistryCatalyst DesignCatalyst PreparationCatalytic MaterialsElectrode MaterialsPorous MaterialsRedox-active MaterialsCatalytic ActivityElectrocatalystsHydrothermal ProcessingHydrothermal TreatmentNitrogen-doped CarbonOxygen Reduction CatalystsPorous CarbonSpecific Surface Area
Abstract A synthetic method was developed for the preparation of N‐doped porous carbon through hydrothermal treatment at controlled temperatures by using glucose and dicyandiamide as precursors and ZnCl 2 as an activation reagent. Nitrogen doping was quantitatively determined by using XPS measurements and identified in the forms of pyridinic, pyrrolic, graphitic, and pyridinic N + O − nitrogen atoms. Further structural analysis by using SEM, TEM, XRD, Raman, FTIR, and BET measurements showed that the N‐doped porous carbons exhibited a microcrystalline graphite structure and a high specific surface area up to 1000 m 2 g −1 . Electrochemical studies showed that the samples all exhibited a remarkable ORR catalytic activity in alkaline media, which was comparable to that of state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C catalysts, and the one prepared at 800 °C was found to be the best among the series with an onset potential of +0.96 V, almost complete reduction of oxygen to OH − , and superior methanol tolerance and cycling stability.
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