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Morphological Ensembles of N‐Doped Porous Carbon Derived from ZIF‐8/Fe‐Graphene Nanocomposites: Processing and Electrocatalytic Studies
Author(s) -
Thomas Minju,
Illathvalappil Rajith,
Kurungot Sreekumar,
Nair Balagopal N.,
Mohamed A. Peer,
Anilkumar Gopinathan M.,
Yamaguchi Takeo,
Hareesh U. S.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemistryselect
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2365-6549
DOI - 10.1002/slct.201801419
Subject(s) - graphene , materials science , carbon fibers , nanocomposite , chemical engineering , adsorption , electrocatalyst , catalysis , composite number , porosity , nanotechnology , composite material , electrochemistry , chemistry , electrode , organic chemistry , engineering
Engineering the active site density of porous carbon catalysts for enhanced electrocatalytic activity is the current focus in the quest for economically viable fuel cells. Herein, we synthesise ZIF‐8/Fe‐graphene composites for the formation of N and Fe co‐doped carbon with diverse morphologies ranging from tubes and sheets to frameworks of carbon. A synthetic strategy involving the one pot synthesis of ZIF‐8 based composites is accomplished by the reaction of 2‐methylimidazole with mixed Zn/Fe salt solution containing graphene dispersions. The high temperature heat treatment of this precursor mix yielded micro‐meso porous architectures of N, Fe co‐doped carbon with dispersions of Fe/Fe 3 C. An onset potential value of 0.95 V and a half‐wave potential of 0.82 V coupled with excellent durability and stability in alkaline medium indicated improved electrocatalytic performances over its commercial Pt/C counterpart. The appreciable electrocatalytic properties of the synthesized carbon are attributed to its morphological diversity, hybrid structure, high N doping and its heteroporous characteristics. The dispersed Fe/Fe 3 C and FeNx sites facilitated enhanced oxygen adsorption and the graphene inclusions in the composite provided retention of high nitrogen contents.