Abstract
Heteroatom-doped carbon materials have been extensively studied in the field of electrochemical catalysis to solve the challenges of energy shortage. In particular, there is vigorous research activity in the design of multi-element co-doped carbon materials for the improvement of electrochemical performance. Herein, we developed a supramolecular approach to construct metallosupramolecular polymer hollow spheres, which could be used as precursors for the generation of carbon shells co-doped with B, N, F and Fe elements. The metallosupramolecular polymer hollow spheres were fabricated through a simple route based on the Kirkendall effect. The in situ reaction between the boronate polymer spheres and Fe3+ could easily control the component and shell thickness of the precursors. The as-prepared multi-element co-doped carbon shells showed excellent catalytic activity in an oxygen reduction reaction, with onset potential (Eonset) 0.91 V and half-wave (Ehalf-wave) 0.82 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). The fluorine element in the carbon matrix was important for the improvement of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity performance through designing the control experiment. This supramolecular approach may afford a new route to explore good activity and a low-cost catalyst for ORR.
Highlights
IntroductionPrecious metals incorporating carbon materials, such as commercial Pt/C, have been successfully used as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts [4,5]
During the commercialization process of hydrogen fuel cells, exploring electrocatalysts with high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and outstanding stability is the primary task [1,2,3].At present, precious metals incorporating carbon materials, such as commercial Pt/C, have been successfully used as ORR catalysts [4,5]
We focused on the control over the thickness of the shell, the influence of the thickness of the shell, the influence of the shell thickness and doping elements (B, N, F and Fe) on the shell thickness and doping elements (B, N, F and Fe) on the ORR performance of the carbon materials
Summary
Precious metals incorporating carbon materials, such as commercial Pt/C, have been successfully used as ORR catalysts [4,5]. Their expensive cost and scarcity greatly limit their broader application [6,7,8]. Pure carbon materials have many advantages, including excellent electrical transport properties, a highly active surface area, chemical stability and superior thermal stability. They have become an ideal choice for electrochemical energy storage materials [11,12,13,14,15]. Pure carbon materials have a highly hydrophobic surface and limited active sites, which bring many problems for the application
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