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Dichotomizing the Oxygen Electrocatalytic Properties of Doped Carbon Catalysts in Acid through a Salt‐Activated Synthesis
Author(s) -
Yang Shiliu,
Zhan Yi,
Yang Liuqing,
Lee Jim Yang
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201601023
Subject(s) - catalysis , electrocatalyst , oxygen evolution , chemistry , carbon fibers , inorganic chemistry , activated carbon , electrolyte , salt (chemistry) , electrochemistry , materials science , adsorption , organic chemistry , electrode , composite number , composite material
The dearth of acidproof non‐platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in a low pH environment has been the greatest challenge in the development of aqueous rechargeable acid metal–air batteries, which are free from the electrolyte carbonation problem of alkaline batteries. Carbon‐based catalysts by far form the largest group of non‐PGM oxygen electrocatalysts. The performance of carbon catalysts in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) can be improved by using a salt‐activated synthesis. This method, however, is not applied to improve the catalytic performance of carbon in the OER. In view of the very different reaction microenvironments for the ORR and OER, the carbon active sites for the ORR and OER are expected to be mutually exclusive. Is it then possible to switch between the ORR and OER properties of carbon‐based catalysts by using salts with different chemical labilities in a salt‐activated synthesis? This communication is a report of our investigation of the effects of lithium salts on the microstructure and performance of doped carbon catalysts in oxygen electrocatalysis in acid.