One‐pot Synthesis of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Co‐doped Graphene and Its Use as High‐performance Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

In this study, N,P co‐doped graphene (NPG) was prepared by a one‐step pyrolysis using a mixture of graphene oxide and hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP), in which HCCP was used as both the N and P source. Furthermore, it is shown that NPG electrodes, as efficient metal‐free electrocatalysts, have a high onset potential, high current density, and long‐term stability for the oxygen reduction reaction.     

氮掺杂MnCo2O4/N-KB的制备及氧还原催化性能

以Mn(Ac)_2和Co(Ac)_2作为前驱体,导电碳Ketjenblack (KB)作为负载碳源,采用水解-水热法制备氮掺杂的MnCo_2O_4/N-KB催化剂材料,对其结构特征和碱性溶液中氧还原反应的催化性能进行表征,并进一步分析其氧还原反应活性。结果表明:MnCo_2O_4/N-KB催化剂的形态是KB骨架上生长纳米级MnCo_2O_4,并且在N-KB和MnCo_2O_4之间形成化学耦合,产生协同作用,有效提高了MnCo_2O_4/N-KB催化剂的氧还原活性。MnCo_2O_4与N-KB的质量比为1∶9时,MnCo_2O_4/N-KB催化剂在O_2饱和0.1mol·L~(-1)KOH溶液中对氧还原反应的电催化性能最佳,反应的极限电流密度为5.7 mA·cm~(-2),半波电位接近0.81 V,电子转移数为4。在相同负载量下,MnCo_2O_4/N-KB催化剂相比商用Pt/C(电流密度5.2 mA·cm~(-2),半波电位0.83 V)有着更高的极限电流密度和耐久性。     

Precise Tuning of Surface Composition and Electron‐Transfer Properties of Graphene Oxide Films through Electroreduction

Graphene materials are generally prepared from the exfoliation of graphite oxide (GO) to graphene oxide, followed by subsequent chemical or thermal reduction. These methods, although efficient in removing most of the oxygen functionalities from the GO material, lack control over the extent of the reduction process. We demonstrate here an electrochemical reduction procedure that not only allows for precise control of the reduction process to obtain a graphene material with a well‐defined C/O ratio in the range of 3 to 10, but also one that is able to tune the electrocatalytic properties of the reduced material. A method that is able to precisely control the amount and density of the oxygen functionalities on the graphene material as well as its electrochemical behaviour is very important for several applications such as electronics, bio‐composites and electrochemical devices.     

Sulfur‐Doped Graphene Derived from Cycled Lithium–Sulfur Batteries as a Metal‐Free Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Heteroatom‐doped carbon materials have been extensively investigated as metal‐free electrocatalysts to replace commercial Pt/C catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions in fuel cells and Li–air batteries. However, the synthesis of such materials usually involves high temperature or complicated equipment. Graphene‐based sulfur composites have been recently developed to prolong the cycling life of Li–S batteries, one of the most attractive energy‐storage devices. Given the high cost of graphene, there is significant demand to recycle and reuse graphene from Li–S batteries. Herein, we report a green and cost‐effective method to prepare sulfur‐doped graphene, achieved by the continuous charge/discharge cycling of graphene–sulfur composites in Li–S batteries. This material was used as a metal‐free electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction and shows better electrocatalytic activity than pristine graphene and better methanol tolerance durability than Pt/C.     

Selective Removal of Hydroxyl Groups from Graphene Oxide

Graphene has a wide range of potential applications, thus tremendous efforts have been put into ensuring that the most direct and effective methods for its large‐scale production are developed. The formation of graphene materials from graphene oxide through a chemical reduction method is still one of the most preferred routes. Numerous methods starting from various reducing agents have been developed to obtain near‐pristine graphene sheets. However, most of the reducing agents are not mechanistically supported by classical organic chemistry knowledge and of those that are supported, they are only theoretically capable of, at most, reducing oxygen‐containing groups on graphene oxide to hydroxyl groups. Herein, we present a mechanistically proven method for the selective defunctionalisation of hydroxyl groups from graphene oxide that is based on ethanethiol–aluminium chloride complexes and provides a graphene material with improved properties. The structural, morphological and electrochemical properties of the graphene materials have been fully characterised based on high‐resolution X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry techniques. Our analyses showed that the obtained graphene materials exhibited high heterogeneous electron‐transfer rates, low charge‐transfer resistance and high conductivity as compared to the parent graphene oxide. Moreover, the selective defunctionalisation of hydroxyl groups could potentially allow for the tailoring of graphene properties for various applications.     

Bottom‐Up Fabrication of a Sandwich‐Like Carbon/Graphene Heterostructure with Built‐In FeNC Dopants as Non‐Noble Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

High‐performance non‐noble electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are the prerequisite for large‐scale utilization of fuel cells. Herein, a type of sandwiched‐like non‐noble electrocatalyst with highly dispersed FeN_x active sites embedded in a hierarchically porous carbon/graphene heterostructure was fabricated using a bottom‐up strategy. The in situ ion substitution of Fe³⁺ in a nitrogen‐containing MOF (ZIF‐8) allows the Fe‐heteroatoms to be uniformly distributed in the MOF precursor, and the assembly of Fe‐doped ZIF‐8 nano‐crystals with graphene‐oxide and in situ reduction of graphene‐oxide afford a sandwiched‐like Fe‐doped ZIF‐8/graphene heterostructure. This type of heterostructure enables simultaneous optimization of FeN_x active sites, architecture and interface properties for obtaining an electron‐catalyst after a one‐step carbonization. The synergistic effect of these factors render the resulting catalysts with excellent ORR activities. The half‐wave potential of 0.88 V vs. RHE outperforms most of the none‐noble metal catalyst and is comparable with the commercial Pt/C (20 wt %) catalyst. Apart from the high activity, this catalyst exhibits excellent durability and good methanol‐tolerance. Detailed investigations demonstrate that a moderate content of Fe dopants can effectively increase the intrinsic activities, and the hybridization of graphene can enhance the reaction kinetics of ORR. The strategy proposed in this work gives an inspiration towards developing efficient noble‐metal‐free electrocatalysts for ORR.     

The Effect of KOH Treatment on the Chemical Structure and Electrocatalytic Activity of Reduced Graphene Oxide Materials

Reduced graphene oxide (rG‐O)‐based materials have great potential as metal‐free electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) owing to their electrical and electrochemical properties and large surface area. Long‐term durability and chemical stability of the catalysts in the presence of electrolytes such as aqueous KOH solution are important for their use in practical applications. In this study, three types of rG‐O and rG‐O‐K (rG‐O after reaction with KOH) materials were synthesized. The chemical structures, surface areas, and catalytic ORR performances of the rG‐O materials were compared with those of the corresponding rG‐O‐K materials. The onset potentials of the rG‐O materials for electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen are almost the same as those of the corresponding rG‐O‐K materials; however, the current density and the number of transferred electrons are significantly reduced. These data show that the catalytic ORR performance of rG‐O‐based materials can be altered by KOH.     

“Metal‐Free” Catalytic Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Heteroatom‐Doped Graphene is Caused by Trace Metal Impurities

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of high industrial importance. There is a large body of literature showing that metal‐based catalytic nanoparticles (e.g. Co, Mn, Fe or hybrid Mn/Co‐based nanoparticles) supported on graphene act as efficient catalysts for the ORR. A significant research effort is also directed to the so‐called “metal‐free” oxygen reduction reaction on heteroatom‐doped graphene surfaces. While such studies of the ORR on nonmetallic heteroatom‐doped graphene are advertised as “metal‐free” there is typically no sufficient effort to characterize the doped materials to verify that they are indeed free of any trace metal. Here we argue that the claimed “metal‐free” electrocatalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction on heteroatom‐doped graphene is caused by metallic impurities present within the graphene materials.     

Highly Concentrated Aqueous Dispersions of Graphene Exfoliated by Sodium Taurodeoxycholate: Dispersion Behavior and Potential Application as a Catalyst Support for the Oxygen‐Reduction Reaction

A high‐yielding exfoliation of graphene at high concentrations in aqueous solutions is critical for both fundamental study and future applications. Herein, we demonstrate the formation of stable aqueous dispersions of pristine graphene by using the surfactant sodium taurodeoxycholate under tip sonication at concentrations of up to 7.1 mg mL^?1. TEM showed that about 8 % of the graphene flakes consisted of monolayers and 82 % of the flakes consisted of less than five layers. The dispersions were stable regardless of freezing (?20 °C) or heat treatment (80 °C) for 24 h. The concentration could be significantly improved to about 12 mg mL^?1 by vacuum‐evaporation of the dispersions at ambient temperature. The as‐prepared graphene dispersions were readily cast into conductive films and were also processed to prepare Pt/graphene nanocomposites that were used as highly active electrocatalysts for the oxygen‐reduction reaction.     

Selective Functionalization of Graphene at Defect‐Activated Sites by Arylazocarboxylic tert‐Butyl Esters

The development of versatile functionalization concepts for graphene is currently in the focus of research. Upon oxo‐functionalization of graphite, the full surface of graphene becomes accessible for C?C bond formation to introduce out‐of‐plane functionality. Herein, we present the arylation of graphene with arylazocarboxylic tert‐butyl esters, which generates aryl radicals after activation with an acid. Surprisingly, the degree of functionalization is related to the concentration of lattice vacancy defects in the graphene material. Consequently, graphene materials that are free from lattice defects are not reactive. The reaction can be applied to graphene dispersed in solvents and leads to bitopic functionalization as well as monotopic functionalization when the graphene is deposited on surfaces. As the arylazocarboxylic tert‐butyl ester moiety can be attached to various molecules, the presented method paves the way to functional graphene derivatives, with the density of defects determining the degree of functionalization.     

Reversible Self‐Assembly of Terpyridine‐Functionalized Graphene Oxide for Energy Conversion

Terpyridine‐functionalized graphene oxides were prepared for self‐assembly into 3D architectures with various metal ions (e.g., Fe, Ru). The resulting electrode materials showed significantly improved electroactivities for efficient energy conversion and storage. They showed promise for application in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), photocurrent generation, and supercapacitance.     

Facile Synthesis of Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene Aerogels for Electrode Materials in Supercapacitors

Three‐dimensional porous nitrogen‐doped graphene aerogels (NGAs ) were synthesized by using graphene oxide (GO ) and chitosan (CS ) via a self‐assembly process by one‐pot hydrothermal method. The morphology and structure of the as‐prepared materials were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, XPS spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurement and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The electrochemical performance of NGAs was studied by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge and impedance spectroscopy measurements. The microstructure, surface area and capacitance of NGAs could be facilely controlled by adding different amounts of chitosan. The prepared NGA ‐4 showed a specific capacitance of 148.0 F/g at the discharge current density of 0.5 A/g and also retained 95.3% of the initial capacitance after 5000 cycles at the scan rate of 10 mV /s. It provided a possible way to obtain graphene based materials with high surface area and capacitance.     

Electrochemical Preparation of N‐Doped Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles with High Electrocatalytic Activity for the Oxygen‐Reduction Reaction

Nitrogen‐doped CoO (N‐CoO) nanoparticles with high electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) were fabricated by electrochemical reduction of CoCl₂ in acetonitrile solution at cathodic potentials. The initially generated, highly reactive nitrogen‐doped Co nanoparticles were readily oxidized to N‐CoO nanoparticles in air. In contrast to their N‐free counterparts (CoO or Co₃O₄), N‐CoO nanoparticles with a N content of about 4.6 % exhibit remarkable ORR electrocatalytic activity, stability, and immunity to methanol crossover in an alkaline medium. The Co?N_x active sites in the CoO nanoparticles are held responsible for the high ORR activity. This work opens a new path for the preparation of nitrogen‐doped transition metal oxide nanomaterials, which are promising electrocatalysts for fuel cells.     

Covalent Functionalization of Graphene by Nucleophilic Addition Reaction: Synthesis and Optical‐Limiting Properties

Covalent functionalization of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was performed by using conjugated polymers with different monomers through nucleophilic addition of nitrogen anions to rGO. Three conjugated polymers containing tetraphenylethylene, carbazole, and phenyl groups were used, and as a result of π–π interactions and the “polymer‐wrapping” effect, the dispersion stability of rGO was improved. Even if the reaction site in the polymers was the same, there were great differences in the reactivities of the polymers, the dispersion stabilities of the resultant composites, and also the optical limiting (OL) performances of the resultant composites. The differences may be attributed to the π‐conjugated structure and steric hindrance of the moiety in the polymer skeleton, which has scarcely been reported. Besides, the resultant rGO‐P1 and rGO‐P3 materials both showed excellent OL responses, even at 4 μJ. This behavior should enable their potential application in photonic and optoelectronic devices to protect human eyes or optical sensors from damage by intense laser irradiation.     

Controlled Chemistry Approach to the Oxo‐Functionalization of Graphene

Graphene is the best‐studied 2D material available. However, its production is still challenging and the quality depends on the preparation procedure. Now, more than a decade after the outstanding experiments conducted on graphene, the most successful wet‐chemical approach to graphene and functionalized graphene is based on the oxidation of graphite. Graphene oxide has been known for more than a century; however, the structure bears variable large amounts of lattice defects that render the development of a controlled chemistry impossible. The controlled oxo‐functionalization of graphene avoids the formation of defects within the σ‐framework of carbon atoms, making the synthesis of specific molecular architectures possible. The scope of this review is to introduce the field of oxo‐functionalizing graphene. In particular, the differences between GO and oxo‐functionalized graphene are described in detail. Moreover analytical methods that allow determining lattice defects and functional groups are introduced followed by summarizing the current state of controlled oxo‐functionalization of graphene.