Nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts derived from ionic liquids in the presence of transition metals for the oxygen reduction reaction

作者：Lim Katie H; Kim Hansung^*

来源：Applied Catalysis B: Environmental , 2014, 158: 355-360.

DOI：10.1016/j.apcatb.2014.04.038

• Non-precious catalyst
• Nitrogen doped carbon
• Ionic liquid
• Oxygen reduction reaction
• sp(2) Carbon network

Nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were synthesized by the pyrolysis of ionic liquids (IL), which are precursors of both nitrogen and carbon, using a silica hard template in the presence of a transition metal. From the linear sweep voltammogram recorded in an acidic solution, the ORR activity of the nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts increased significantly after the addition of the transition metal during the pyrolysis of the IL. From XPS-N 1s analysis, the introduction of the transition metal positively contributes to the formation of graphitic-N, which is known to be an active site for the ORR. The results of XPS-C 1s suggest a strong correlation between the sp(2)-carbon network and the ORR activity. Co is a more effective metal compared to Ni due to the creation of a higher degree of sp(2)-carbon networks for fast electron transfer during the ORR. Based on the quantitative analysis of the experimental results, the IL is a promising precursor for nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts, and the addition of a transition metal is essential for improved activity of the ORR.

• 出版日期2014-10