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Self‐Templated Hierarchically Porous Carbon Nanorods Embedded with Atomic Fe‐N 4 Active Sites as Efficient Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts in Zn‐Air Batteries
Author(s) -
Gong Xiaofei,
Zhu Jianbing,
Li Jiazhan,
Gao Rui,
Zhou Qingyan,
Zhang Zhen,
Dou Haozhen,
Zhao Lei,
Sui Xulei,
Cai Jiajun,
Zhang Yunlong,
Liu Bing,
Hu Yongfeng,
Yu Aiping,
Sun Shuhui,
Wang Zhenbo,
Chen Zhongwei
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.202008085
Subject(s) - nanorod , materials science , carbonization , polymerization , carbon fibers , mesoporous material , chemical engineering , catalysis , porosity , specific surface area , nanotechnology , polymer , scanning electron microscope , organic chemistry , chemistry , composite material , composite number , engineering
Iron‐nitrogen‐carbon materials are being intensively studied as the most promising substitutes for Pt‐based electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). A rational design of the morphology and porous structure can promote the accessibility of the active site and the reactants/products transportation, accelerating the reaction kinetics. Herein, 1D porous iron/nitrogen‐doped carbon nanorods (Fe/N‐CNRs) with a hierarchically micro/mesoporous structure are prepared by pyrolyzing the in situ polymerized pyrrole on the surface of Fe‐MIL‐88B‐derived 1D Fe 2 O 3 nanorods (MIL: Material Institut Lavoisier). The Fe 2 O 3 nanorods not only partially dissolve to generate Fe 3+ for initiating polymerization but serve as templates to form the 1D structure during polymerization. Furthermore, the pyrrole coated Fe 2 O 3 nanorod architecture prevents the porous structure from collapsing and protects Fe from aggregation to yield atomic Fe‐N 4 moieties during carbonization. The obtained Fe/N‐CNRs display exceptional ORR activities ( E 1/2 = 0.90 V) and satisfactory long‐term durabilities, exceeding those for Pt/C. Furthermore, the unprecedented Fe/N‐CNRs catalytic performance is demonstrated with Zn‐air batteries, including a superior maximum power density (181.8 mW cm −2 ), specific capacity (998.67 W h kg −1 ), and long‐term durability over 100 h. The prominent performance stems from the unique 1D structure, hierarchical pore system, high surface area, and homogeneously dispersed single‐atom Fe‐N 4 moieties.