Electric Field Polarized Fe−N Functionalized Graphene Oxide Nanosheet Catalyst for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

Low‐cost noble‐metal‐free electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are useful for future energy storage and conversion devices, and other technologies. In this work, iron (Fe)‐nitrogen (N) functionalized graphene oxide (Fe−N−GO) nanosheets have been synthesized and studied for ORR properties in alkaline solution. We utilized a multi‐layer/multi‐polarization method to study the DC electric field polarization effect on the electrocatalytic properties of the Fe−N−GO catalyst. The poling effect with DC electric field was created on the catalyst ink drop‐casted on a polished glassy carbon working electrode, resulting in more compact electrocatalyst electrode. Compared to the commercial Pt/C catalyst, the polarized Fe−N−GO catalyst exhibited similar ORR catalytic activity along with superior stability in alkaline media.