High-efficiency synthesis of Co, N-doped carbon nanocages by ball milling-hard template method as an active catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2020-02, Vol.45 (11), p.6318-6327
• Main Authors: Wang, Jing, Yang, Shuhan, Song, Wenna, Zhao, Jianhua, Lu, Zhihua, Zhai, Qianqian, Jiang, Liang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ball milling; Hard template; Hydrogen fuel cells; N-doped carbon nanocages; Oxygen reduction reaction
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.12.101

A facile and scalable method is developed for the high-efficiency synthesis of Co, N-doped carbon nanocages catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). During the synthesis, the precursors are uniformly distributed on the surface of potassium chloride (KCl) by high-energy ball milling. As evidenced, the N and Co elements are successfully doped and distributed uniformly on the surface of carbon nanocages. Owing to the distinctive nanocage architecture and the synergistic effects of Co, N and Co-NX coordination, the obtained Co, N–CNC-800 shows efficient ORR catalytic activity with an onset potential of 0.924 V (vs. RHE), and the number of electron transfer (n) is approximately 3.4. Furthermore, its stability and methanol tolerance are far superior to those of commercial 40% Pt/C. This simple and universal synthesis strategy is expected to be widely applied in the preparation of other heteroatom-doped carbon nanocages as catalysts in hydrogen fuel cells. [Display omitted] •The simple method to prepare Co, N-doped carbon nanocages is developed.•The synergistic effects make Co, N–CNC-800 exhibit superior ORR performance.•Co, N–CNC-800 shows high catalytic activity and stability for ORR.