Biomass-derived nitrogen-doped porous carbons with ultra-high surface area for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction

Highly efficient and stable metal-free Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) catalyst is derived from low-cost and green biomass, the plum blossom. After activating with KOH and doping with N via introduction of melamine followed by high temperature treatment, the obtained porous carbon exhibits unique honeycomb like structure and ultra-high surface area of up to 2118.9 m(2) g(-1) together with multiple N coordination in carbon matrix. These characteristics endow the as-prepared electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity (E-1/2 = 0.82 V and JL = 5.96 mA cm(-2)) as well as outstanding long-term stability (current retention of 91.2% after 50,000 s) and methanol tolerance in alkaline media. Consequently, it is of immense significance to fabricate novel ORR catalysts derived from biomass in the evolvement of fuel cells. (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.