Premium
Highly Dispersed Cu−N X Moieties Embedded in Graphene: A Promising Electrocatalyst towards the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Author(s) -
Lu Xiangyu,
Du Lei,
Wang Dan,
Yang Peixia,
Liu Lilai,
Zhang Jinqiu,
An Maozhong,
Levin Oleg,
Wang Jinpeng,
Ge Liping
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201800657
Subject(s) - catalysis , electrocatalyst , methanol , graphene , oxygen reduction reaction , transition metal , carbon fibers , oxygen reduction , oxygen , metal , fuel cells , materials science , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , nitrogen , cobalt , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , composite number , organic chemistry , electrochemistry , electrode , composite material , engineering
Transition metal–carbon–nitrogen catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are promising and challenging. Cu is a potential transition metal to form efficient ORR catalysts for fuel cells. Herein, a facile method is developed to synthesize a highly dispersed Cu−N X and N‐doped graphene (Cu−N−G) catalyst. The Cu−N−G catalyst shows a half‐wave potential ( E 1/2 ) of 0.859 V, which is comparable to the commercial Pt/C catalyst (0.856 V), and is among the best compared with the previously reported Cu‐based materials. In addition, such a catalyst shows good stability and methanol tolerance in alkaline media. A synergy of doped N (pyridinic and graphitic N) and Cu−N X moieties as well as the pore structure are revealed to account for the enhanced ORR activity.