One-step pyrolysis synthesis of nitrogen, manganese-codoped porous carbon encapsulated cobalt-iron nanoparticles with superior catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 592; pp. 405 - 415
• Main Authors: Sun, Rui-Min, Yao, You-Qiang, Wang, Ai-Jun, Fang, Ke-Ming, Zhang, Lu, Feng, Jiu-Ju
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 15.06.2021
• Subjects: Cobalt-iron alloy; Doped porous carbon; Electrocatalyst; Oxygen reduction reaction; Pyrolysis synthesis; Synergistic catalysis; Synergistic catalysis; Electrocatalyst; Pyrolysis synthesis; Oxygen reduction reaction; Doped porous carbon; Cobalt-iron alloy
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.02.071

[Display omitted] Replacing precious metal catalysts with low-price and abundant catalysts is one of urgent goals for green and sustainable energy development. It is imperative yet challenging to search low-cost, high-efficiency, and long-durability electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in energy conversion devices. Herein, three-dimensional low-cost Co3Fe7 nanoparticles/nitrogen, manganese-codoped porous carbon (Co3Fe7/N, Mn-PC) was synthesized with the mixture of dicyandiamide, cobalt (II) tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin (Co(II)TMOPP), hemin, and manganese acetate by one-step pyrolysis and then acid etching. The resultant Co3Fe7/N, Mn-PC exhibited excellent durability and prominent ORR activity with more positive onset potential (Eonset, 0.98 V) and half-wave potential (E1/2, 0.87 V) in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte, coupled with strong methanol resistance. The pyrolysis temperature and optimal balance of graphite with pyridine-nitrogen are of significance for the ORR performance. The prepared Co3Fe7/N, Mn-PC displayed excellent ORR performance over commercial Pt/C in the identical environment. It was ascribed to the uniform 3D architecture, Mn- and N-doping effects by finely adjusting the electronic structures, coupled with the synergistic catalytic effects of multi-compositions and multi-active sites. This work provides some constructive guidelines for preparation of low-cost and high-efficiency ORR electrocatalysts.