Functionalised cotton as effective metal-free catalyst for oxygen reduction prepared by impregnation method

Abstract

From the perspective of sustainable development, the rational design of cost-effective and highly efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is conducive to promoting the commercial application of fuel cells. Here we report on a novel porous carbon network with excellent catalytic activity. Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon networks were synthesized by impregnation method using sustainable cotton fibers (CF) as templete. After pyrolysis, the specific surface area of PANI-SF@CF materials reaches 857.9 m2/g. The obtained metal-free electrocatalyst exhibits excellent ORR activity (Eonset = 1.1 V, JL = 6.83 mA cm−2) and long-term stability in alkaline media. Overall, this simple preparation strategy provides new avenues for the exploration of low-cost electrocatalysts.