Fe(CN)5@PIL-derived N-doped porous carbon with FeCxNy active sites as a robust electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reactionElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Additional characterizations and electrochemical measurements results. See DOI: 10.1039/c8cy01694a

The synthesis and catalytic mechanism of new-type Fe-N co-doping catalysts are important topics for the research on fuel cells. Herein, we report the synthesis and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) properties of a new Fe-N co-doping carbon composite using poly(ionic liquid)s and ferric salt as precurs...

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Main Authors: Zhang, Shao-hua, Gao, Yi-jing, Cheng, Shan, Yan, Yi-long, Zhang, Shi-Jie, Zhuang, Gui-lin, Deng, Sheng-wei, Wei, Zhong-zhe, Zhong, Xing, Wang, Jian-guo
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Language:English
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Summary:The synthesis and catalytic mechanism of new-type Fe-N co-doping catalysts are important topics for the research on fuel cells. Herein, we report the synthesis and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) properties of a new Fe-N co-doping carbon composite using poly(ionic liquid)s and ferric salt as precursors. The structural characterizations revealed that the as-prepared material features ordered porous properties with a specific surface area of 719.1 m 2 g −1 , corresponding to FeC x N y /N-doped porous carbons (FeC x N y /N-PC). The electrochemical measurements indicated they show superior catalytic activity (Tafel slope of 70.8 mV dec −1 and E 1/2 of 0.84 V), stability and high methanol tolerance compared to the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations uncovered that the FeC x N y /N-PC composite catalyzes the ORR according to the four-electron associative mechanism with the free-energy barrier of 0.51 eV in the rate-determining formation of H 2 O. Interestingly, the electronic structure analysis demonstrated the FeC x N y particles serve as active sites and the synergistic effect of the Fe and N atoms of N-PC can promote the ORR performance. FeC x N y /N-PC catalysts derived by Fe(CN)5@PILs show high performance and catalytic activity for the ORR.
ISSN:2044-4753
2044-4761
DOI:10.1039/c8cy01694a