Iron‐Containing Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanomaterials Prepared via NaCl Template as Efficient Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

AbstractIron‐containing nitrogen‐doped carbon catalysts for the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were prepared by high‐temperature pyrolysis of glucose, K3[Fe(CN)6], and dicyandiamide or urea as precursors. Sodium chloride was used as a template and a confining agent during the pyrolysis, while graphitic carbon nitride formed from dicyandiamide decomposed at higher temperatures, contributing to the enhancement of the porosity and nitrogen doping. The ratio of the precursors and the template was varied to improve the catalysts′ ORR activity, determined in alkaline solution by the rotating disk electrode method. The ORR inhibition tests by cyanide anions revealed the existence of nitrogen‐coordinated Fe centres as electrocatalytically active sites in the doped catalyst. The high durability and methanol tolerance of the catalyst material prepared with an optimised precursor ratio make it a promising catalyst for applications in alkaline membrane fuel cells.