N- and Fe-containing Carbon Films Prepared by Calcination of Polydopamine Composites Self-assembled at Air/Water Interface for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Here we report the synthesis and electrocatalytic properties of polymer films containing nitrogen and iron. The films were prepared by calcination of polydopamine, polyethyleneimine and iron. The composite films were self-assembled at the air/water interface, and exhibited higher activity for the oxygen reduction reaction than glassy carbon or calcined polydopamine films. These results suggest that such calcined composite films have potential applications as cathodes in polymer electrolyte fuel cells.