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Study on the Simple Surface Treatments of N, P Dual‐doped Carbon as Metal‐free Catalyst for Metal‐air Batteries
Author(s) -
Yu Heping,
Zhang Hui,
Zhang Zhongyi
Publication year - 2021
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.202001319
Subject(s) - tafel equation , catalysis , sodium borohydride , carbonization , carbon fibers , adsorption , battery (electricity) , inorganic chemistry , chemical engineering , chemistry , materials science , molecule , metal , organic chemistry , electrode , composite material , electrochemistry , quantum mechanics , composite number , engineering , power (physics) , physics
N, P dual‐doped porous carbon with high specific surface area of ∼2000 m 2 g −1 was prepared via foaming‐carbonization process. It was demonstrated that the simple surface treatment and modification can conveniently further improve the catalytic performance of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The results showed that chemisorbed phosphorus can promote the surface treatment of sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ). The modified novel sites, adsorbing water molecules of a semi‐free state, promoted the offensive key steps of H 2 O molecules in ORR. After post‐treatment, the limit current density increased from 5.0 to 6.1 mA cm −2 with a decreased Tafel slope and the onset potential positively shifted. This surface‐modified catalyst was applied to Zn‐air battery and Al‐air battery, and had exhibited good applicability and excellent performances. This work illustrates that the simple post‐treatments can conveniently and effectively improve the ORR performance of metal‐free carbon catalysts.