Copper–Carbon: An Efficient Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction

Abstract

A simple and efficient method was developed to prepare a copper−carbon (Cu−C) catalyst with high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity via direct pyrolysis of a mixture of metal salts (Cu(NO 3 ) 2 •3H 2 O and Zn(CH 3 COO) 2 ) and 1,3,5-benzenetricarbocylic acid at 1010 °C under a N 2 stream. It is found that the Cu−C catalyst exhibits superior catalytic activity toward ORR with a half-wave potential of 0.81 V and a four-electron transfer pathway in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte. Generally, it is known that N plays an important role for the high ORR catalytic activities of nonprecious metaldoped carbon materials. Herein, we demonstrate that N is not required for the superior catalytic activity of Cu−C materials. Both the Cu particles and the embedded Cu atoms in the carbon substrate are suggested to provide the ORR active sites. In addition, despite the fact that the Zn is removed during the pyrolysis, the adding of Zn salt in the precursor is important for the enhanced catalytic activity. The evaporation of Zn during the pyrolysis results in the large surface area of the catalyst, which is beneficial to the mass transfer during the catalytic process. Moreover, a large number of carbon defects can be created via the removal of Zn atoms that facilitated the ORR.

Interrogation of the Reaction Mechanism in a Na–O2 Battery Using In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

“…Although precious metal-related catalysts, such as Pt, Pd, Ag-MnOx, or IrO 2 , are active OER/ORR catalysts, their large-scale application is hindered by their high cost and scarcity. , The catalysts can enhance the power density and modify reaction pathways and product structures. − Reports show that copper-based catalyst derived from Cu-MOF precursor exhibited boosted ORR activity comparable to commercial Pt/C . There are a number of papers reporting the super effectiveness and possible mechanism of using copper catalysts for oxygen reduction or evolution reactions. − …”

Carbon–nitrogen bond formation using modified graphene oxide derivatives decorated with copper complexes and nanoparticles

“…[ 40 ] Natural abundance, wide range of oxidation states, and reliable and cost‐effective properties of copper [ 41 ] are fundamental reasons to justify its widespread application. Moreover, high capacity to accomplish a wide range of reactions like oxidation, [ 42 ] reduction, [ 43 ] and C–H activation [ 44 ] led to its loading on carbon‐based materials with the aim to improve its activity and stability.…”

Ni/Cu Regulating Nitrogen‐Doped Porous Carbon as Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

“…[26,27] Our previous studies reported that both CuÀ NÀ C and CuÀ C catalysts exhibited good catalytic activities toward ORR. [28,29] Herein, Ni/Cu incorporated N-doped porous carbon materials (Ni 1-x Cu x -NÀ C, x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1) were fabricated by a direct carbonization of the metal-organic complexes. The structure-related ORR properties were thoroughly presented and discussed.…”

“…Cu−N−C catalysts were reported to be excellent electrocatalysts for ORR attributed to the synergism of Cu and N dopants [26,27] . Our previous studies reported that both Cu−N−C and Cu−C catalysts exhibited good catalytic activities toward ORR [28,29] . Herein, Ni/Cu incorporated N‐doped porous carbon materials (Ni 1‐x Cu x ‐N−C, x=0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1) were fabricated by a direct carbonization of the metal‐organic complexes.…”