Graphene Supported Co-g‑C3N4 as a Novel Metal–Macrocyclic Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Fuel Cells

• Published in: Langmuir Vol. 29; no. 11; pp. 3821 - 3828
• Main Authors: Liu, Qiao, Zhang, Junyan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 19.03.2013
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Catalysis; Chemistry; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrochemistry; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; General and physical chemistry; Kinetics and mechanism of reactions; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Chemical reduction; Electrocatalysis; Oxygen; Graphene; Carbon nitrides; Supported catalyst; Fuel cell
• DOI: 10.1021/la400003h
• ISSN: 0743-7463

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) polymer was doped with cobalt species and supported on a similar sp2 structure graphene, to form a novel nitrogen–metal macrocyclic catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline fuel cells. The structural characterizations confirmed the formation of Co–N bonds and the close electron coupling between Co-g-C3N4 and graphene sheets. The electrocatalytic measurements demonstrated Co-g-C3N4-catalyzed reduction of oxygen mainly in a four electron pathway. The improvement of ORR activity is closely related to the abundant accessible Co–N x active sites and fast charge transfer at the interfaces of Co-g-C3N4/graphene. Also, Co-g-C3N4@graphene exhibited comparable ORR activity, better durability, and methanol tolerance ability in comparison to Pt/C, and bodes well for a promising non-noble cathode catalyst for the application of direct methanol fuel cells. The chemical doping strategy in this work would be helpful to improve other present catalysts for fuel cell applications.