Issue 20, 2019

Fe–N-doped hierarchical mesoporous carbon nanomaterials as efficient catalysts for oxygen reduction in both acidic and alkaline media

Abstract

Fe-based electrocatalysts are known as one of the best alternatives to replace platinum in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for their future application in small portable or automotive power sources. However, one key obstacle for the application of Fe-based catalysts is their dissatisfactory activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we demonstrate that agglomerated Fe2O3 nanoparticles are capable of improving the performance of Fe-based catalysts. The impact of the shape, size, and microstructure of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the ORR activity of Fe-based catalysts is well discussed. All the results indicate that the Fe2O3 nanoparticles bound by high-index (110) facets may involve in the formation of numerous active sites for the ORR. The best Fe-based catalyst in this study exhibited superior ORR catalytic activity with its half-wave potential (E1/2) only negatively shifting by 32 mV compared to that of commercial Pt/C in 0.1 M HClO4 solution. Based on this catalyst, the peak power density of an air-breathing PEMFC reached approximately 63% of that of Pt/C (91 mW cm−2) in an air-conditioned room with a temperature of 20 °C.

Graphical abstract: Fe–N-doped hierarchical mesoporous carbon nanomaterials as efficient catalysts for oxygen reduction in both acidic and alkaline media

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Feb 2019
Accepted
09 Apr 2019
First published
10 Apr 2019

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2019,7, 12518-12525

Fe–N-doped hierarchical mesoporous carbon nanomaterials as efficient catalysts for oxygen reduction in both acidic and alkaline media

R. Dun, M. Hao, Y. Su and W. Li, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2019, 7, 12518 DOI: 10.1039/C9TA01807G

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