Recycling MF Solid Waste into Mesoporous Nitrogen-doped Carbon with Iron Carbide Complex in Graphitic Layers as An efficient Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Corresponding Author

Jian-guo LIU(jianguoliu@nju.edu.cn)

Abstract

Nitrogen-doped carbon materials with iron ions are known as catalytic growth agents for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells, but the design and synthesis of high-performance and low-cost catalysts still remain a significant challenge. Herein, we present a cost-effective approach to dispose of MF solid waste as the precursor for the synthesis of MCFes catalyst with the favorable structure features such as the high specific surface area, abundant active sites and suitable pore structure. The results showed that the MCFe-10/10/2 had specific surface area as high as 780.7 m²•g^-1 and high efficient catalytic activity comparable to commercial 5% Pt/C catalyst for the ORR in acid media. Furthermore, the influences in the contents of N through heat-treated at NH₃ atmosphere were also investigated in detail. It was found that the catalytic activity was sensitive to N type, particularly the ratio of pyridinic-N to total N atoms. The large N contents did not lead to higher ORR activities ofMCFes and NMCFe-10/10/2. While the pyridinic N content improved the onset potential for ORR. Furthermore, iron carbide nanoparticles were well encapsulated in N-doped graphene-like layers, which determined the limiting current density. This judicious transformation of organic-rich waste not only addresses the disposal issue, but also generates valuable functional carbon materials from the discard. The as-synthesized carbon will certainly have greater economic ramifications by creating value added materials from wastes.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell, ORR, FeNx/C, catalyst, waste utilization

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.13208/j.electrochem.151145

Publication Date

2016-04-28

Online Available Date

2016-02-06

Revised Date

2016-01-27

Received Date

2015-12-17

Recommended Citation

Can-yun ZHAO, Lin HUANG, Yong YOU, Ying-fang YAO, Xiao-gang SU, Hong WAN, Jian-guo LIU, Cong-ping WU. Recycling MF Solid Waste into Mesoporous Nitrogen-doped Carbon with Iron Carbide Complex in Graphitic Layers as An efficient Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry, 2016 , 22(2): 176-184.
DOI: 10.13208/j.electrochem.151145
Available at: https://jelectrochem.xmu.edu.cn/journal/vol22/iss2/8

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