Fe-N Doped Hollow Carbon Nanospheres Linked by Carbon Nanotubes for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Authors

Ya-lin ZHANG, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China;University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China);
Chi CHEN, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China;
Liang-liang ZOU, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China;
Zhi-qing ZOU, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China;Follow
Hui YANG, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China;Follow

Corresponding Author

Zhi-qing ZOU(zouzq@sari.ac.cn);
Hui YANG(yangh@sari.ac.cn)

Abstract

The development of non-precious metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is essential for large-scale application of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Herein, we present the in situ formed Fe-N doped hollow carbon nanospheres linked by carbon nanotubes composite, synthesized by using ZIF-8 as sacrificed template to form polydopamine (PDA) hollow nanospheres, followed by complexing with FeCl₃, high temperature heat-treatment and NH₃-etching. ZIF-8 was gradually decomposed simultaneously with PDA coating due to the loss of Zn²⁺ grabbed by PDA. NH3 etching resulted in the improved surface area, while the reducibility of NH₃ resulted in the formation of Fe₄N nanoparticles, which benefits the ORR activity of the catalyst. The half-wave potential of the as-prepared of PDA-Fe/N/C-NH₃ was 0.79 V, only 60 mV lower than that of commercial Pt/C. The stability and methanol tolerance of PDA-Fe/N/C-NH₃ were even superior to that of commercial Pt/C, indicating the good potential of PDA-Fe/N/C-NH₃ for the application of fuel cells.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

non-precious metal catalyst, oxygen reduction reaction, polydopamine, NH3-etching, carbon nanotubes/hollow nanospheres composite

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.13208/j.electrochem.180842

Publication Date

2018-12-28

Online Available Date

2018-09-26

Revised Date

2018-09-14

Received Date

2018-09-04

Recommended Citation

Ya-lin ZHANG, Chi CHEN, Liang-liang ZOU, Zhi-qing ZOU, Hui YANG. Fe-N Doped Hollow Carbon Nanospheres Linked by Carbon Nanotubes for Oxygen Reduction Reaction[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry, 2018 , 24(6): 726-732.
DOI: 10.13208/j.electrochem.180842
Available at: https://jelectrochem.xmu.edu.cn/journal/vol24/iss6/13