Issue 27, 2016

Nitrogen and sulfur co-doped graphene aerogels as an efficient metal-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in an alkaline solution

Abstract

Nitrogen and sulfur dual-doped three dimensional (3D) graphene aerogels (N–S-GAs) are firstly prepared through pyrolyzing poly[5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol] coated graphene aerogels (PATT-GAs) as a metal-free oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst. 3D structures of N–S-GAs have been reserved after high temperature pyrolyzing, and N and S atoms are successfully doped into graphene frameworks. The catalytic performance of the fabricated N–S-GAs towards the ORR is assessed by electrochemical test techniques. The effects of pyrolyzing temperature on catalytic activity are also studied. The binding states of N and S atoms have a great influence on the electrocatalytic activity for the ORR. The N–S-GAs gained after pyrolysis at 900 °C (N–S-GAs 900) demonstrate higher electrocatalytic activity and diffusion-limiting current density, better stability and methanol tolerance. The excellent performance for the ORR on N–S-GAs is attributed to the interconnected porous network, conductive multiplexed pathways of N–S-GAs, greater electrocatalytically active site exposure and the synergistic effect originating from the doped N and S in the graphene sheets.

Graphical abstract: Nitrogen and sulfur co-doped graphene aerogels as an efficient metal-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in an alkaline solution

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 Oct 2015
Accepted
15 Feb 2016
First published
15 Feb 2016

RSC Adv., 2016,6, 22781-22790

Nitrogen and sulfur co-doped graphene aerogels as an efficient metal-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in an alkaline solution

M. Wu, Z. Dou, J. Chang and L. Cui, RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 22781 DOI: 10.1039/C5RA22136F

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