Facile solution synthesis of FeNx atom clusters supported on nitrogen-enriched graphene carbon aerogels with superb electrocatalytic performance toward the oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

The development of non-platinum catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to substitute state-of-the-art but expensive Pt catalysts is essential for the development and practical application of fuel cells. Here, combining the self-assembly and coordination interaction between graphene oxide (GO) with g-C₃N₄ and iron phthalocyanine (FePc), FeN_x atom clusters supported on three-dimensional porous nitrogen-enriched graphene carbon aerogels were successfully prepared by one facile solution method. The obtained FeN_x atom cluster catalyst (FeN_x-CN/g-GEL) exhibited superb catalytic performance (E_1/2 = 0.90 V) toward the ORR, which is superior to that of commercial Pt/C (E_1/2 = 0.835 V) and the currently reported non-noble nanocatalysts. Additionally, the catalyst displayed a high metal utilization rate with a mass specific activity of 840 mA mg_Fe⁻¹ at 0.80 V, excellent long-term stability with only a little decline after the 28 000 s test and remarkable tolerance to methanol and SCN⁻.