Search

Nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon materials have been proposed as promising catalytic materials for oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline water-electrolysis hydrogen production. In this study, newly graphene-like graphitized carbon nanocages and nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon nanotubes are controllably prepared by using Tween-20 as molecular precursor, Ni as graphitization catalyst and urea as nitrogen source. The as-prepared materials are characterized by X-Ray Diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The OER electrochemical performances are evaluated by linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry. It is found that the nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon nanotubes have higher oxygen evolution activity, lower oxygen evolution overpotential and desirable electrochemical stability relative to graphitized carbon nanocages, demonstrating it is a promising catalytic material for OER in alkaline water-electrolysis hydrogen production. Nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon from molecular precursor is successfully fabricated as non-metal electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Unlabelled Image • Nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon nanotubes with controllable length are successfully prepared. • Tween-20 molecular precursor was used for rational design of nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon. • An efficient and low-cost carbon-powder-protection solid-phase synthesis strategy is proposed. • Synergistic effect between Ni-catalyzed graphitization and in-situ N doping with urea is proved. • The nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes exhibit favorable excellent activity and stability for OER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]