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Hierarchically porous carbons with optimized nitrogen doping as highly active electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction

Author

Listed:
  • Hai-Wei Liang

    (Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research)

  • Xiaodong Zhuang

    (School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Sebastian Brüller

    (Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research)

  • Xinliang Feng

    (Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research
    School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Klaus Müllen

    (Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research)

Abstract

Development of efficient, low-cost and stable electrocatalysts as the alternative to platinum for the oxygen reduction reaction is of significance for many important electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells, metal–air batteries and chlor-alkali electrolysers. Here we report a highly active nitrogen-doped, carbon-based, metal-free oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalyst, prepared by a hard-templating synthesis, for which nitrogen-enriched aromatic polymers and colloidal silica are used as precursor and template, respectively, followed by ammonia activation. Our protocol allows for the simultaneous optimization of both porous structures and surface functionalities of nitrogen-doped carbons. Accordingly, the prepared catalysts show the highest oxygen reduction reaction activity (half-wave potential of 0.85 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode with a low loading of 0.1 mg cm−2) in alkaline media among all reported metal-free catalysts. Significantly, when used for constructing the air electrode of zinc–air battery, our metal-free catalyst outperforms the state-of the-art platinum-based catalyst.

Suggested Citation

  • Hai-Wei Liang & Xiaodong Zhuang & Sebastian Brüller & Xinliang Feng & Klaus Müllen, 2014. "Hierarchically porous carbons with optimized nitrogen doping as highly active electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms5973
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5973
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    Cited by:

    1. Wu, Mingjie & Zhang, Enguang & Guo, Qinping & Wang, Yongzhen & Qiao, Jinli & Li, Kaixi & Pei, Pucheng, 2016. "N/S-Me (Fe, Co, Ni) doped hierarchical porous carbons for fuel cell oxygen reduction reaction with high catalytic activity and long-term stability," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 468-478.

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