Rational Design of Hierarchical, Porous, Co‐Supported, N‐Doped Carbon Architectures as Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction

Abstract

Developing highly active nonprecious‐metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of great significance for reducing the cost of fuel cells. 3D‐ordered porous structures could substantially improve the performance of the catalysts because of their excellent mass‐diffusion properties and high specific surface areas. Herein, ordered porous ZIF‐67 was prepared by forced molding of a polystyrene template, and Co‐supported, N‐doped, 3D‐ordered porous carbon (Co‐NOPC) was obtained after further carbonization. Co‐NOPC exhibited excellent performance for the ORR in an alkaline medium with a half‐wave potential of 0.86 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), which is higher than that of the state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C (0.85 V vs. RHE). Moreover, the substantially improved catalytic performance of Co‐NOPC compared with Co‐supported, N‐doped carbon revealed the key role of its hierarchical porosity in boosting the ORR. Co‐NOPC also exhibited a close‐to‐ideal four‐electron transfer path, long‐term durability, and resistance to methanol penetration, which make it promising for large‐scale application.

Synthesis and Performance of MOF-Based Non-Noble Metal Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review

“…Recently, ordered porous ZIF-67 (OP-ZIF-67) with accurate control of macro- and microporosity has been prepared through an original approach combining a hard-template method and ultrasonic nucleation [ 99 ]. The method relied on the growth of a ZIF-67 MOF in a polystyrene matrix followed by its careful dissolution in THF ( Figure 12 a).…”

“…( c – e ) SEM images of the ordered porous ZIF-67 MOF (OP-ZIF-67) obtained before calcination. Reprinted with permission from reference [ 99 ]. Copyright (2020) John Wiley and Sons.…”

“…All tests were performed in 0.1 M KOH. Reprinted with permission from reference [ 99 ]. Copyright (2020) John Wiley and Sons.…”

CNRS‐Silbermedaillen:D. Farrusseng, E. Collet undP. Poulin / CNRS‐Bronzemedaillen:J. Wencel‐Delord und D. Voiry

“…Voiry erkundet Phänomene von Elektrokatalyse und Nanofluidik auf der Nanometerebene mithilfe von zweidimensionalen Materialien, die er auf der Basis von Defekten, Phasen und Funktionalisierung maßschneidert. Er war unter den Autoren eines Full Paper in ChemSusChem über N‐dotierte Kohlenstoffarchitekturen als Elektrokatalysatoren der Sauerstoffreduktion …”

CNRS Silver Medals:D. Farrusseng, E. Collet, andP. Poulin / CNRS Bronze Medals:J. Wencel‐Delord and D. Voiry

“…He develops engineering strategies for 2D materials based on defects, phases, and functionalization. Voiry was among the authors of a Full Paper in ChemSusChem on a rational design of N‐doped carbon architectures as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction …”