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Urchin-Shaped Hollow Iron-Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Microspheres as High-Performance Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction
- Source :
- Journal of the Electrochemical Society; January 2017, Vol. 164 Issue: 4
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics are enhanced in alkaline media. Hence, alternative non-platinum (Pt)-group metal electrocatalysts have been investigated extensively in this medium to compete with Pt in terms of performance and durability. Among various non-Pt catalysts, one of the most popular class of electrocatalysts is iron- and nitrogen-doped carbon-based (Fe–N–C) by the high electrocatalytic activity and selectivity in ORR. However, the inherent catalytic reactivity of such non-Pt electrocatalysts remains inferior to that of state-of-the-art Pt electrocatalysts. Here, we explore the ORR of hollow and urchin-like, three-dimensional (3D) nanostructured Fe–N–Cs prepared via polymerization-induced self-assembly of aniline followed by carbonization. The resulting Fe–N–Cs consist of a hollow microsphere framework coupled with nanorod bundles, and exhibit large surface areas (874 m2g−1), hierarchical cavities, and excellent electrical conductivities (0.63 Scm−1) as electrodes. They are of particular interest as oxygen reduction electrocatalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). These unique features, which enhance electrocatalytic efficiency, are attributed to efficient mass- and electro-transport ORR kinetics. Electrochemical experiments reveal improved onset (ca. 1.04 V) and half-wave potentials (ca. 0.9 V), which is comparable to those of commercial Pt electrocatalysts. The 3D hierarchical porous network with high interdigitation of well-dispersed nanorod building blocks is thought to be key to facilitating the ORR reaction.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00134651 and 19457111
- Volume :
- 164
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Journal of the Electrochemical Society
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- ejs61770200
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0291704jes