Prussian blue as a single precursor for synthesis of Fe/Fe3C encapsulated N-doped graphitic nanostructures as bi-functional catalysts†
Abstract
We report a unique, single source precursor Prussian blue (iron(III) ferrocyanide (FeIII4[FeII(CN)6]3)) for the synthesis of Fe/Fe3C nanoparticle encapsulated N-doped graphitic layers and bamboo-like graphitic nanotubes. Hollow N-doped graphite (N-HG) nanostructures are obtained when the encapsulated nanostructures are treated with an acid. Both the encapsulated nanostructures and N-HG are shown to be applicable as bi-functional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER). The ORR activity is shown to be improved for N-HG and is comparable to commercial Pt/C. On the other hand, encapsulated nanostructures exhibit OER activity with long-term stability comparable to commercial RuO2.