Graphene Supported Co-g-C 3 N 4 as a Novel Metal–Macrocyclic Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Fuel Cells

✍ Scribed by Liu, Qiao; Zhang, Junyan

• Book ID: 120041337
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• Year: 2013
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 469 KB
• Volume: 29
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0743-7463
• DOI: 10.1021/la400003h

✦ Synopsis

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) polymer was doped with cobalt species and supported on a similar sp 2 structure graphene, to form a novel nitrogen-metal macrocyclic catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline fuel cells. The structural characterizations confirmed the formation of Co-N bonds and the close electron coupling between Co-g-C 3 N 4 and graphene sheets. The electrocatalytic measurements demonstrated Co-g-C 3 N 4 -catalyzed reduction of oxygen mainly in a four electron pathway. The improvement of ORR activity is closely related to the abundant accessible Co-N x active sites and fast charge transfer at the interfaces of Co-g-C 3 N 4 /graphene. Also, Cog-C 3 N 4 @graphene exhibited comparable ORR activity, better durability, and methanol tolerance ability in comparison to Pt/C, and bodes well for a promising non-noble cathode catalyst for the application of direct methanol fuel cells. The chemical doping strategy in this work would be helpful to improve other present catalysts for fuel cell applications.