In situ confined pyrolysis preparation of graphene-wrapped FePt nanoparticles anchored on N-doped hierarchically porous graphitic carbon nanoflakes for boosting oxygen reduction reaction

• Published in: Applied surface science 2022-12, Vol.604, p.154475, Article 154475
• Main Authors: Wang, Yu, Chen, Meng-Ting, Ye, Xin, Wang, Ai-Jun, Tu, Gao-Mei, Zhang, Lu, Feng, Jiu-Ju
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Confined pyrolysis; Graphitic carbon nitride; Iron-platinum nanoparticles; N-doped graphitic carbon nanoflakes; Oxygen reduction reaction
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.154475

[Display omitted] •G-FePt@N-GCFs were synthesized by the in-situ confined pyrolysis.•The pyrolysis temperature and metal types were critical to the ORR performance.•The hybrid nanocomposite had large ECSA and superior high conductivity, along with high utilization of Pt.•The electrocatalyst showed superior activity, good stability and strong methanol resistance for ORR. Development of high-efficiency and stable electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is significant for commercial manufacturing of fuel cells. Herein, graphene-wrapped FePt alloyed nanoparticles anchored on N-doped hierarchically porous graphitic carbon nanoflakes (G-FePt@N-GCFs) were prepared by confined pyrolysis of the mixed metal precursors and dicyandiamide. Notably, dicyandiamide in situ polymerized to graphitic carbon nitride to further adsorb and confine metal ions, finally harvesting graphene-wrapped FePt nanoparticles under high temperature, accompanied by forming the N-doped graphitic carbon nanoflakes. The controlled experiments substantiate significance of the pyrolysis temperature and metal types. The resultant G-FePt@N-GCFs showed appealing ORR activity (Eonset = 1.01 V; E1/2 = 0.86 V vs. RHE), and durability (E1/2 negatively shifts for 12 mV within 2000 cycles), outperforming commercial Pt/C catalyst in the alkaline environment. This study provides some valuable guidelines for construction of state-of-art transition-metal-based carbon catalysts in energy storage and conversion devices.