Abstract
Technological and scientific challenges coupled with environmental considerations have attracted a search for robust, green and energy-efficient synthesis and processing routes for advanced functional nanomaterials. In this article, we demonstrate a high-energy ball milling technique for large-scale synthesis of nitrogen doped carbon nanoparticles, which can be used as an electro-catalyst for oxygen reduction reactions after a structural refinement with controlled thermal annealing. The resulting carbon nanoparticles exhibited competitive catalytic activity (5.2 mA cm(-2) kinetic-limiting current density compared with 7.6 mA cm(-2) on Pt/C reference) and excellent methanol tolerance compared to a commercial Pt/C catalyst. The proposed synthesis route by ball milling and annealing is an effective process for carbon nanoparticle production and efficient nitrogen doping, providing a large-scale production method for the development of highly efficient and practical electrocatalysts.
Highlights
We demonstrate a high-energy ball milling technique for large-scale synthesis of nitrogen doped carbon nanoparticles, which can be used as an electro-catalyst for oxygen reduction reactions after a structural refinement with controlled thermal annealing
Precious Pt-based materials have been used as an effective electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs),[1] yet largescale commercial use has been precluded by high cost, limited supply, and weak durability of platinum
We report that ball milling can be used as a powerful green method to synthesize nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles (NDCPs), which can be used as an electrochemical catalyst for ORRs (Scheme 1 and Fig. S1†)
Summary
Precious Pt-based materials have been used as an effective electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs),[1] yet largescale commercial use has been precluded by high cost, limited supply, and weak durability of platinum. Recent intensive research efforts directed at reducing or replacing Pt-based electrodes in fuel cells have led to the development of new ORR electrocatalysts.[2,3] In particular, the state-of-the-art nitrogendoped carbon nanomaterials have been proved to have better resistance to poisoning,[1,4,5] and are relatively cheaper to fabricate[6] than Pt-based catalysts. Carbon nanomaterials exhibit some unusual physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, such as light absorption, mechanical stiffness, and high conductivity.[7] nitrogen-doped carbon materials have been generally accepted as potential candidates for replacing Pt to achieve the commercialization of fuel cell technology. Most of the current methods of synthesizing nitrogen doped carbon materials face some issues like low
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