Journal
CARBON
Volume 187, Issue -, Pages 67-77Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2021.10.073
Keywords
Heteroatom; Synergistic effect; Metal-free electrocatalyst; ORR
Funding
- Research and Innovation Fund of Shandong Energy Institute [SEII202139]
- Key Program for International S&T Cooperation Projects of China [2016YFE0125700]
- DNL Cooperation Fund, CAS [DNL201921]
- Key R&D project of Shandong Province [2019JZZY020809]
- National Natural Sciences Foundation of China [92061125]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
An ultra-active metal-free ORR electrocatalyst, F-N-AC-1000, exhibited excellent ORR performance and stability, with the incorporation of fluorine atom into the pyridinic-N configuration playing a key role in improving performance. The hierarchical pore structure with large specific surface area also contributed to the enhanced activity and faster electron and product transport. This study offers valuable insights for the design of superior metal-free ORR catalysts.
An ultra-active metal-free ORR electrocatalyst (F-N-AC-100 0) was developed by fluorine doped N-based activated carbon. The as-prepared F-N-AC-100 0 exhibited half-wave potentials of 0.89 V and 0.75 V (vs. RHE) in alkaline and acidic electrolytes, respectively, which are both among the most active metal-free ORR catalysts reported in the literature. F-N-AC-100 0 also showed much higher methanol tolerance and stability than the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Experimental and theoretical calculation results demonstrated a novel viewpoint on synergistic effect that the superior ORR performance could be mainly ascribed to the incorporation of fluorine atom into the pyridinic-N configuration, and the charge and spin densities of the adjacent C atoms (Lewis base site) were significantly improved in comparison with the absolute pyridine structure. High ORR performance was attributed to the enhanced Lewis base site rather than the increase of the total content of active sites at the location of the doped fluorine and nitrogen atoms. The hierarchical pore structure with large specific surface area could supply more available active sites and provide fast transport channel for electrons and products. This study will provide useful guidance for the design of superior metal-free ORR catalysts, promoting the application of metal-free carbon-based catalysts in batteries or fuel cells. (c) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available