Facile preparation of nitrogen-doped graphene as a metal-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction.
Nitrogen-doped graphene (nG) is a promising metal-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the cathode of fuel cells. Here we report a facile preparation of nG via pyrolysis of graphene oxide with melamine. The morphology of the nG is revealed using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy while the successful N doping is confirmed by electron energy loss spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The resulting nG shows high electrocatalytic activity toward ORR in an alkaline solution with an onset potential of -0.10 V vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The nG catalyzed oxygen reduction exhibits a favorable formation of water via a four-electron pathway. Good stability and anti-crossover property are also observed, which are advantageous over the Pt/C catalyst. Furthermore, the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the structure and activity of nG is systematically studied to gain some insights into the chemical reactions during pyrolysis.
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 771 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA.
Ziyin
Z
Lin
Min-kyu
MK
Song
Yong
Y
Ding
Yan
Y
Liu
Meilin
M
Liu
Ching-ping
CP
Wong
D002384:Catalysis; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004566:Electrodes; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry*
D006108:Graphite; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen