“Spontaneous bubble-template” assisted metal–polymeric framework derived N/Co dual-doped hierarchically porous carbon/Fe3O4 nanohybrids: superior electrocatalyst for ORR in biofuel cells

Abstract

A “Spontaneous bubble-template” method is fascinating in that bubbles are formed in situ during material processing and employed as a template for fabricating unique structures, which has not been reported in material science. It is sustainable, green and efficient in that no extra additives or post-treatment are used. Herein, novel metal–polymeric framework derived hierarchically porous carbon/Fe₃O₄ nanohybrids are prepared using a “spontaneous bubble-template” method by one-step carbonization. During the carbonization process, N and Co are self-doped on porous carbon in which in situ grown nano Fe₃O₄ is embedded (Fe₃O₄@N/Co–C). The as-prepared Fe₃O₄@N/Co–C displays a three-dimensional interpenetrating morphology (electrochemical active area: 729.89 m² g⁻¹) with well-distributed Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (20–50 nm) which are coated with a carbon layer (3–5 nm). Fe₃O₄@N/Co–C exhibits remarkable oxygen reduction activity in biofuel cells with a distinct output voltage (576 mV) and power density (918 mW m⁻²), which are 3.6% and 17.8% higher than those of Pt (0.5 mg cm⁻²), respectively. Besides biofuel cells, Fe₃O₄@N/Co–C may also have the potential for application in chemical fuel cells, since it demonstrates better oxygen reduction activity in electrochemical measurements. Thus, with the virtues of its low-cost, facile synthesis and large-scale preparation, Fe₃O₄@N/Co–C is a promising electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction and application in biofuel cells.