Direct Synthesis of Fe₃C‐Functionalized Graphene by High Temperature Autoclave Pyrolysis for Oxygen Reduction

Abstract

We present a novel approach to direct fabrication of few-layer graphene sheets with encapsulated Fe3 C nanoparticles from pyrolysis of volatile non-graphitic precursors without any substrate. This one-step autoclave approach is facile and potentially scalable for production. Tested as an electrocatalyst, the graphene-based composite exhibited excellent catalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline solution with an onset potential of ca. 1.05 V (vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode) and a half-wave potential of 0.83 V, which is comparable to the commercial Pt/C catalyst.

57Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopy and electrochemical activities of graphitic layer encapsulated iron electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction

“…Recently, a novel approach of high-pressure pyrolysis by Hu et al allowed for preparation of a typical catalyst of ironcontaining nanoparticles in the graphitic layer encapsulated structure [19]. Characteristics of the materials include uniform iron containing nanoparticles, in a mass content range of over 10%, encapsulated in CNTs [20] or/and graphene layers [21]. The encapsulating carbon layers are likely due to the high pyrolytic pressure, curved into hollow microspheres.…”

Graphene Layers‐Wrapped Fe/Fe5C2 Nanoparticles Supported on N‐doped Graphene Nanosheets for Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction

“…[40] The high-resolution Fe 2p spectra show the presence of peaks for Fe 3+ (712.6 and 725.0 eV), Fe 2+ (710.3 and 723.1 eV), and Fe 0 (706.8 eV), accompanied by a satellite peak (718.3 eV) ( Figure S5, Supporting Information). [44] Figure 3d shows the nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm and pore size distribution of GL-Fe/Fe 5 C 2 /NG-800. The ratio of D-band (I D ) to G-band (I G ) is 0.71, evidencing the formation of graphene.…”

Graphene‐Based Hybrid Functional Materials

“…[ 17 ] For example, Fe 3 C nanoparticles encapsulated into few‐layers graphene sheets, produced by one‐step autoclave pyrolytic synthesis, have been used for the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction. [ 34 ] In this case, the graphene encapsulation protects the oxidation‐sensitive Fe 3 C from the external environment.…”