title: Nanocarbon for Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysis: Dopants, Edges, and Defects.
abstract: The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the cornerstone of various sustainable energy-conversion technologies. Metal-free nanocarbon electrocatalysts with competitive activity, enhanced durability, and satisfactory cost, have been proposed as the most promising substitute for precious-metal catalysts. However, their further development is still primarily based on trial-and-error approaches due to the controversial knowledge of critical active sites and mechanisms. Herein, the activity origins of nanocarbon-based ORR electro-catalysts are comprehensively reviewed and correlated, considering the dopants, edges, and defects. Analogously, they can effectively modify the charge/spin distribution on the sp2-conjugated carbon matrix, leading to optimized intermediate chemisorption and facilitated electron transfer. Specific doping at defective edges is expected to render practical applications for metal-free nanocarbon electrocatalysts.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Reaction Engineering and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Reaction Engineering and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
keywords: defects; doping; edge effect; nanocarbon catalysis; oxygen reduction