Issue 4, 2021

Ferrocene-based porous organic polymer derived N-doped porous carbon/Fe3C nanocrystal hybrids towards high-efficiency ORR for Zn–air batteries

Abstract

Exploring low-cost and high-powered nonprecious metal oxygen reduction catalysts (ORR) in fuel cells and metal–air batteries is critical for the commercialization of these sustainable energy devices. In this study, novel iron-based catalysts consisting of Fe3C nanoparticles encapsulated in a micro/mesoporous Fe–N-doped graphitic carbon matrix was prepared via a cost-effective method using cheap and easily available ferrocene-based porous organic polymers (POPs) as the sole precursors. The POP precursors with tertiary methyl-linkage, namely Fc-Car (spherical) and Fc-Py (rod-like), were facilely prepared via the polycondensation of 1,1-ferrocenedicarboxaldehyde (Fc) with carbazole (Car) or pyrrole (Py), respectively. The optimal catalyst (FC-950) obtained via the carbonization of Fc-Car at 950 °C presents outstanding ORR activity and stability in both alkaline and neutral media. It displays a half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.841 V (vs. RHE) and limiting current density (5.29 mA cm−2) closely comparable to the state-of-the-art Pt/C (0.825 V, 5.62 mA cm−2) in alkaline media. A self-assembled Zn–air battery validates FC-950 also features great application potential for real devices with an open-circuit of 1.452 V and a relative high power density of 176.8 mW cm−2.

Graphical abstract: Ferrocene-based porous organic polymer derived N-doped porous carbon/Fe3C nanocrystal hybrids towards high-efficiency ORR for Zn–air batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
17 Nov 2020
Accepted
15 Dec 2020
First published
31 Dec 2020

Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2021,5, 1067-1074

Ferrocene-based porous organic polymer derived N-doped porous carbon/Fe3C nanocrystal hybrids towards high-efficiency ORR for Zn–air batteries

X. Liu, X. Liang, H. Lou, H. Wang, H. Li, S. Zhang, S. Zhu, W. Han and B. Zhou, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2021, 5, 1067 DOI: 10.1039/D0SE01692F

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