Hierarchically ordered macro-microporous metal-organic framework derived oxygen reduction electrocatalyst

The electrocatalytic performance of carbon-based materials determined by the active sites' density, accessibility, and utilization rate. In this work, ordered macroporous Fe-containing zeolitic-imidazole frameworks (Fe-ZIF) single-crystalline was carefully synthesized by confined growing Fe-ZIF in the interior space of closely-packed polystyrene sphere template. Then ordered macro-microporous carbon with atomically dispersed Fe-N-x sites (Fe-N-x/HPC) were successfully fabricated by direct carbonizing the ordered macroporous Fe-ZIF. The optimized catalyst Fe-N-x/HPC-1000 shows a high specific surface area of 1293 m(2).g(-1), a nitrogen and iron doping of 3.4 and 0.12 at.%, respectively. Thanks to the open and hierarchically porous structure, high specific surface area, and rich Fe-N-x moieties, Fe-N-x/HPC-1000 demonstrates outstanding oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance with an onset potential of 0.97 V, a half-wave potential of 0.881 V, and excellent durability. Secondary sulfur-doping was carried out to modify the properties of Fe-N-x/HPC-1000, which is favorable for ORR. These findings provide new insight into producing atomically dispersed Fe-N-x- and sulfur-modified MOF-derived ordered macroporous carbon electrocatalyst.

Automated summary

The optimized catalyst Fe-N-x/HPC-1000, with atomically dispersed Fe-N-x sites, shows excellent oxygen reduction reaction performance. Secondary sulfur-doping enhances the properties of the catalyst, making it more favorable for the ORR.