N-doped graphene grown on silk cocoon-derived interconnected carbon fibers for oxygen reduction reaction and photocatalytic hydrogen production

Abstract

Carbon-based metal-free catalysts are a promising substitute for the rare and expensive platinum (Pt) used in the oxygen reduction reaction. We herein report N-doped graphene (NG) that is exquisitely integrated into highly conductive frameworks, simultaneously providing more active sites and higher conductivity. The NG was in situ grown on carbon fibers derived from silk cocoon (SCC f ) using a simple one-step thermal treatment. The resulting product (NG-SCC f ), possessing a meso-/macroporous structure with three-dimensional (3D) interconnected networks, exhibits an onset potential that is only 0.1 V less negative than that of Pt/C and shows stability and methanol tolerance superior to those of Pt/C in alkaline media. Moreover, in the absence of Pt as co-catalyst, NG-SCC f shows a photocatalytic H 2 production rate of 66.0 μmol·h -1 ·g -1 , 4.4-fold higher than that of SCC f . This outstanding activity is intimately related to the in situ grown NG, hierarchically porous structure, and 3D interconnected networks, which not only introduce more active sites but also enable smooth electron transfer, mass transport, and effective separation of electron-hole pairs. Considering the abundance of the green raw material in combination with easy and low-cost preparation, this work contributes to the development of advanced sustainable catalysts in energy storage/conversion fields, such as electro-and photocatalysis.

N‐Doped 3D Carbon Aerogel with Trace Fe as an Efficient Catalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

“…The defective level of Fe−N‐CA catalysts was reflected by Raman spectra (Figure S4). As known, I D and I G present the intensity of ordered carbon and disordered carbon, respectively . The I D /I G values of Fe−N‐CA series samples are close to 1, indicating the abundant existence of defects in samples.…”

Ultra-low charge transfer resistance carbons by one-pot hydrothermal method for glucose sensing

“…3b, c. High-resolution N 1s spectrum (Fig. 3a) can be fitted into three kinds of N species: pyridinc-N (398.6 eV), pyrrolic-N (400.2 eV), and graphitic-N (401.3 eV) [37][38][39][40], indicating that the incorporated N atoms are mainly bonded with C atoms at the edges and defects of carbon (pyridinic-N), three adjacent carbons within the hexagonal ring of graphene (graphitic-N) and carbons within the pentagon ring of graphene pyrrolic-N. The existence of pyridinic-N, pyrrolic-N and graphitic-N helps to improve the electro- chemical activity [41].…”

Controllable Synthesis of CoS2@N/S‐Codoped Porous Carbon Derived from ZIF‐67 for as a Highly Efficient Catalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

“…To maintain the sustainable development of society, we have to seek a reliable alternative energy supply to circumvent the issues of environment pollution and energy shortage associated with current fossil energy . Among various strategies, the production of the clean energy carrier H 2 by water splitting is regarded as one of most impressive technologies for the conversion and storage of renewable sources in the form of chemical fuels . To date, Pt is a typical representative of HER electrocatalysts and generates a large cathode current density for this reaction at a low overpotential.…”

“…[1,2] Among various strategies, the production of the clean energy carrier H 2 by water splitting is regardeda so ne of most impressive technologiesf or the conversion and storage of renewable sources in the form of chemical fuels. [3,4] To date, Pt is at ypical representative of HER electrocatalysts [5][6][7] and generatesalargec athode current density for this reaction at al ow overpotential. However,i ts high cost, scarcity,a nd inferiord urability impedes its large-scale application in energy storagea nd conversion devices.…”