Issue 32, 2018

A eutectic salt-assisted semi-closed pyrolysis route to fabricate high-density active-site hierarchically porous Fe/N/C catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

Here we demonstrate a “eutectic salt-assisted semi-closed carbonization” technique for fabricating a high-density active-site hierarchically porous Fe/N/C catalyst by using a ZnCl2/KCl eutectic salt as the template. Our technique allows for the pyrolysis of the Fe/N/C precursor under the protection of the molten ZnCl2/KCl eutectic salt, which can not only provide an ionic liquid-confined space to suppress the large weight loss and N evaporation of the precursor in a very wide temperature range from 390 °C to 923 °C, but also play a key role in modulating the porous structure, specific surface area and graphitization degree of the Fe/N/C catalyst. Accordingly, the as-prepared Fe/N/C catalyst exhibits excellent ORR activity and stability in both acidic (half-wave potential of 0.803 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode) and alkaline (half-wave potential of 0.918 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode) media. More importantly, real cathodes made from the Fe/N/C catalysts further demonstrated superior performance in H2–O2 fuel cells and zinc–O2 batteries. This strategy provides a new avenue for the design and development of advanced porous carbon materials for different applications.

Graphical abstract: A eutectic salt-assisted semi-closed pyrolysis route to fabricate high-density active-site hierarchically porous Fe/N/C catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
07 6 2018
Accepted
10 7 2018
First published
18 7 2018

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018,6, 15504-15509

A eutectic salt-assisted semi-closed pyrolysis route to fabricate high-density active-site hierarchically porous Fe/N/C catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction

J. Li, S. Chen, W. Li, R. Wu, S. Ibraheem, J. Li, W. Ding, L. Li and Z. Wei, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018, 6, 15504 DOI: 10.1039/C8TA05419C

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