Identification of Catalytic Sites for Oxygen Reduction in Metal/Nitrogen-Doped Carbons with Encapsulated Metal Nanoparticles

The development of metal-N-C materials as efficient non-precious metal (NPM) catalysts for catalysing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as alternatives to platinum is important for the practical use of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). However, metal-N-C materials have high structural heterogeneity. As a result of their high-temperature synthesis they often consist of metal-N_x sites and graphene-encapsulated metal nanoparticles. Thus it is hard to identify the active structure of metal-N-C catalysts. Herein, we report a low-temperature NH₄Cl-treatment to etch out graphene-encapsulated nanoparticles from metal-N-C catalysts without destruction of co-existing atomically dispersed metal-N_x sites. Catalytic activity is much enhanced by this selective removal of metallic nanoparticles. Accordingly, we can confirm the spectator role of graphene-encapsulated nanoparticles and the pivotal role of metal-N_x sites in the metal-N-C materials for ORR in the acidic medium.     

Metallocorroles as Nonprecious‐Metal Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction

The future of affordable fuel cells strongly relies on the design of earth‐abundant (non‐platinum) catalysts for the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, the bottleneck in the overall process occurs therein. We have examined herein trivalent Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu complexes of β‐pyrrole‐brominated corrole as ORR catalysts. The adsorption of these complexes on a high‐surface‐area carbon powder (BP2000) created a unique composite material, used for electrochemical measurements in acidic aqueous solutions. These experiments disclosed a clear dependence of the catalytic activity on the metal center of the complexes, in the order of Co>Fe>Ni>Mn>Cu. The best catalytic performance was obtained for the Co^III corrole, whose onset potential was as positive as 0.81 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). Insight into the properties of these systems was gained by spectroscopic and computational characterization of the reduced and oxidized forms of the metallocorroles.     

碳载钴酞菁催化剂的一步法制备及其在碱性条件下对氧的电催化还原

通过固相加热,一步合成了以VulcanXC-72(碳黑)为载体的碳载钴酞菁(CoPc/C)复合催化剂,其可用作空气电极的氧还原催化剂。通过X射线衍射、红外光谱等测试技术对催化剂进行了表征。利用极化曲线和交流阻抗(EIS)方法测试了其在碱性介质(6mol/LKOH)中对氧还原的催化性能。结果显示,得到的产物为CoPc/C复合物,平均粒径30nm。以磷酸处理的碳黑为载体,在600℃下制备的CoPc/C复合催化剂表现出最佳的催化活性。以其制备的电极在空气气氛下-0.03V(Hg/HgO)电位时即可产生明显氧还原电流,-0.2V时电流密度达90×10-3A/cm2。     

Construction of Highly Active Metal-Containing Nanoparticles and FeCo-N4 Composite Sites for the Acidic Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Metal-containing nanoparticles (M-NPs) in metal/nitrogen-doped carbon (M-N-C) catalysts have been considered hostile to the acidic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The relation between M-NPs and the active sites of metal coordinated with nitrogen (MN_x) is hard to establish in acid medium owing to the poor stability of M-NPs. Herein, we develop a strategy to successfully construct a new FeCo-N-C catalyst containing highly active M-NPs and MN₄ composite sites (M/FeCo-SAs-N-C). Enhanced catalytic activity and stability of M/FeCo-SAs-N-C is shown experimentally. Calculations reveal that there is a strong interaction between M-NPs and FeN₄ sites, which can favor ORR by activating the O−O bond, thus facilitating a direct 4 e⁻ process. Those findings firstly shed light on the highly active M-NPs and FeN₄ composite sites for catalyzing acid oxygen reduction reaction, and the relevant reaction mechanism is suggested.     

High‐Rate Oxygen Electroreduction over Graphitic‐N Species Exposed on 3D Hierarchically Porous Nitrogen‐Doped Carbons

Nitrogen‐doped species (NDs) are theoretically accepted as a determinant of the catalytic activity of metal‐free N‐doped carbon (NC) catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, direct relationships between ND type and ORR activity have been difficult to extract because the complexity of carbon matrix impairs efforts to expose specific NDs. Herein, we demonstrate the fabrication of a 3D hierarchically porous NC catalyst with micro‐, meso‐, and macroporosity in one structure, in which sufficient exposure and availability of inner‐pore catalytic sites can be achieved due to its super‐high surface area (2191 cm² g^?1) and interconnected pore system. More importantly, in‐situ formation of graphitic‐N species (GNs) on the surface of NC stimulated by KOH activation enables us to experimentally reveal the catalytic nature of GNs for ORR, which is of great significance for the design and development of advanced metal‐free NC electrocatalysts.     

Recent Progress in ZIF-Derived Carbons for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysis

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) represents a cornerstone for many clean energy conversion technologies such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Nevertheless, the commercialization of these technologies is largely impeded by the slow kinetics of ORR, for which active, durable and cost-effective ORR catalysts are needed. In recent years, zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) derived carbon materials emerge as a new class of non-precious metal catalysts (NPMCs) toward ORR, largely benefiting from their high surface area, abundant porosity, tunable chemical/electronic structure, and superior ORR activity which is comparable or even surpasses those state-of-the-art Pt-based ORR catalysts. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in ZIF-derived carbons for ORR. The synthesis strategies and the key factors affecting the ORR performance of ZIF-derived carbon materials are discussed. Future research directions and perspectives on exploring ZIF derived carbons as efficient ORR catalysts are highlighted, with a focus on the principles of rationally engineering the coordination structures of active sites.     

氮化钨-钨/掺氮有序介孔碳复合材料的制备及其氧还原性能

采用软模板法制备了氮化钨-钨/掺氮有序介孔碳复合材料（WN-W/NOMC）,作为一种高比表面积且价格低廉的阴极氧还原反应催化剂。通过适量添加尿素来改变复合材料中的氮含量,在掺氮量为7%（w/w）时,实验发现材料能够保持完整有序介孔结构,测试其比表面积高达835 m²·g^-1,透射电子显微镜（TEM）测试结果显示其催化颗粒均匀地分散在氮掺杂有序介孔碳载体上。在O₂饱和的0.1 mol·L^-1 KOH溶液中测试了材料的氧还原催化性能（ORR）,显示其起始电位为0.87 V（vs RHE）,极限电流密度为4.49 mA·cm^-2,氧还原反应的转移电子数为3.4,接近于20%（w/w）商业Pt/C的3.8,说明该材料表现出近似4电子的氧还原反应途径。研究结果表明,WN-W/NOMC的催化性能虽然稍弱于商业铂碳（0.99 V,5.1 mA·cm^-2）,但其具有远超铂碳的循环稳定性和耐甲醇毒化能力。     

氮化钨-钨/掺氮有序介孔碳复合材料的制备及其氧还原性能

采用软模板法制备了氮化钨-钨/掺氮有序介孔碳复合材料(WN-W/NOMC),作为一种高比表面积且价格低廉的阴极氧还原反应催化剂。通过适量添加尿素来改变复合材料中的氮含量,在掺氮量为7%(w/w)时,实验发现材料能够保持完整有序介孔结构,测试其比表面积高达835 m~2·g~(-1),透射电子显微镜(TEM)测试结果显示其催化颗粒均匀地分散在氮掺杂有序介孔碳载体上。在O_2饱和的0.1 mol·L~(-1 )KOH溶液中测试了材料的氧还原催化性能(ORR),显示其起始电位为0.87 V(vs RHE),极限电流密度为4.49 mA·cm~(-2),氧还原反应的转移电子数为3.4,接近于20%(w/w)商业Pt/C的3.8,说明该材料表现出近似4电子的氧还原反应途径。研究结果表明,WN-W/NOMC的催化性能虽然稍弱于商业铂碳(0.99 V,5.1 mA·cm~(-2)),但其具有远超铂碳的循环稳定性和耐甲醇毒化能力。     

Understanding the Activity of Co‐N4−xCx in Atomic Metal Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Catalysis

Atomic metal catalysis (AMC) provides an effective way to enhance activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Cobalt anchored on nitrogen‐doped carbon materials have been extensively reported. The carbon‐hosted Co‐N₄ structure was widely considered as the active site; however, it is very rare to investigate the activity of Co partially coordinated with N, for example, Co‐N_4?xC_x. Herein, the activity of Co‐N_4?xC_x with tunable coordination environment is investigated as the active sites for ORR catalysis. The defect (di‐vacancies) on carbon is essential for the formation of Co‐N_4?xC_x. N species play two important roles in promoting the intrinsic activity of atomic metal catalyst: N coordinated with Co to manipulate the reactivity by modification of electronic distribution and N helped to trap more Co to increase the number of active sites.     

On the Influence of Oxygen on the Degradation of Fe‐N‐C Catalysts

Fe‐N‐C catalysts containing atomic FeN_x sites are promising candidates as precious‐metal‐free catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The durability of Fe‐N‐C catalysts in fuel cells has been extensively studied using accelerated stress tests (AST). Herein we reveal stronger degradation of the Fe‐N‐C structure and four‐times higher ORR activity loss when performing load cycling AST in O₂‐ vs. Ar‐saturated pH 1 electrolyte. Raman spectroscopy results show carbon corrosion after AST in O₂, even when cycling at low potentials, while no corrosion occurred after any load cycling AST in Ar. The load‐cycling AST in O₂ leads to loss of a significant fraction of FeN_x sites, as shown by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analyses, and to the formation of Fe oxides. The results support that the unexpected carbon corrosion occurring at such low potential in the presence of O₂ is due to reactive oxygen species produced between H₂O₂ and Fe sites via Fenton reactions.     

Pyrolytic Carbon‐coated Cu‐Fe Alloy Nanoparticles with High Catalytic Performance for Oxygen Electroreduction

Well‐dispersed carbon‐coated or nitrogen‐doped carbon‐coated copper‐iron alloy nanoparticles (FeCu@C or FeCu@C?N) in carbon‐based supports are obtained using a bimetallic metal‐organic framework (Cu/Fe‐MOF‐74) or a mixture of Cu/Fe‐MOF‐74 and melamine as sacrificial templates and an active‐component precursor by using a pyrolysis method. The investigation results attest formation of Cu?Fe alloy nanoparticles. The obtained FeCu@C catalyst exhibits a catalytic activity with a half‐wave potential of 0.83 V for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline medium, comparable to that on commercial Pt/C catalyst (0.84 V). The catalytic activity of FeCu@C?N for ORR (E_half‐wave=0.87 V) outshines all reported analogues. The excellent performance of FeCu@C?N should be attributed to a change in the energy of the d‐band center of Cu resulting from the formation of the copper–iron alloy, the interaction between alloy nanoparticles and supports and N‐doping in the carbon matrix. Moreover, FeCu@C and FeCu@C?N show better electrochemical stability and methanol tolerance than commercial Pt/C and are expected to be widely used in practical applications.     

Ionic Liquids as Precursors for Efficient Mesoporous Iron‐Nitrogen‐Doped Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts

A ferrocene‐based ionic liquid (Fe‐IL) is used as a metal‐containing feedstock with a nitrogen‐enriched ionic liquid (N‐IL) as a compatible nitrogen content modulator to prepare a novel type of non‐precious‐metal–nitrogen–carbon (M‐N‐C) catalysts, which feature ordered mesoporous structure consisting of uniform iron oxide nanoparticles embedded into N‐enriched carbons. The catalyst Fe¹⁰@NOMC exhibits comparable catalytic activity but superior long‐term stability to 20 wt % Pt/C for ORR with four‐electron transfer pathway under alkaline conditions. Such outstanding catalytic performance is ascribed to the populated Fe (Fe₃O₄) and N (N2) active sites with synergetic chemical coupling as well as the ordered mesoporous structure and high surface area endowed by both the versatile precursors and the synthetic strategy, which also open new avenues for the development of M‐N‐C catalytic materials.     

Metal‐Nitrogen‐doped Porous Carbons Derived from Metal‐Containing Ionic Liquids for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

This study describes a self‐doping and additive‐free strategy for the synthesis of metal‐nitrogen‐doped porous carbon materials (CMs) via carbonizing well‐tailored precursors, metal‐containing ionic liquids (M‐ILs). The organic skeleton in M‐ILs serves as both carbon and nitrogen sources, while metal ions acts as porogen and metallic dopants. A high nitrogen content, appropriate content of metallic species and hierarchical porosity synergistically endow the resultant CMs (MIBA‐M‐T) as effective electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). MIBA‐Fe‐900 with a high specific surface area of 1567 m² g^?1 exhibits an activity similar to that of Pt/C catalyst, a higher tolerance to methanol than Pt/C, and long‐term durability. This work supplies a simple and convenient route for the preparation of metal‐containing carbon electrocatalysts.     

Porous‐Organic‐Framework‐Templated Nitrogen‐Rich Porous Carbon as a More Proficient Electrocatalyst than Pt/C for the Electrochemical Reduction of Oxygen

Porous nitrogen‐rich carbon (POF‐C‐1000) that was synthesized by using a porous organic framework (POF) as a self‐sacrificing host template in a nanocasting process possessed a high degree of graphitization in an ordered structural arrangement with large domains and well‐ordered arrays of carbon sheets. POF‐C‐1000 exhibits favorable electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) with a clear positive shift of about 40 mV in the onset potential compared to that of a traditional, commercially available Pt/C catalyst. In addition, irrespective of its moderate surface area (785 m² g^?1), POF‐C‐1000 showed a reasonable H₂ adsorption of 1.6 wt % (77 K) and a CO₂ uptake of 3.5 mmol g^?1 (273 K).     

MnxOy/NC and CoxOy/NC Nanoparticles Embedded in a Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Matrix for High‐Performance Bifunctional Oxygen Electrodes

Reversible interconversion of water into H₂ and O₂, and the recombination of H₂ and O₂ to H₂O thereby harnessing the energy of the reaction provides a completely green cycle for sustainable energy conversion and storage. The realization of this goal is however hampered by the lack of efficient catalysts for water splitting and oxygen reduction. We report exceptionally active bifunctional catalysts for oxygen electrodes comprising Mn₃O₄ and Co₃O₄ nanoparticles embedded in nitrogen‐doped carbon, obtained by selective pyrolysis and subsequent mild calcination of manganese and cobalt N₄ macrocyclic complexes. Intimate interaction was observed between the metals and nitrogen suggesting residual M–N_x coordination in the catalysts. The catalysts afford remarkably lower reversible overpotentials in KOH (0.1 M ) than those for RuO₂, IrO₂, Pt, NiO, Mn₃O₄, and Co₃O₄, thus placing them among the best non‐precious‐metal catalysts for reversible oxygen electrodes reported to date.     

多壁碳纳米管负载Pt-Au电催化剂的微波合成及其催化氧还原性质

采用微波还原法合成了具有较小的纳米颗粒以及较高的分散程度的纳米Pt-Au复合多壁碳纳米管(Pt-Au/MWCNTs)电催化剂. 利用旋转圆盘电极(RDE)技术对Pt-Au/MWCNTs电催化剂在0.1 mol•L−1 HClO4溶液中的催化氧还原的动力学进行了研究. 结果表明, Pt和Au的质量比为1:2时, 表现出对氧气较好的催化还原活性.