A novel hybrid electrocatalyst consisting of nitrogen‐doped graphene/cobalt‐embedded porous carbon polyhedron (N/Co‐doped PCP//NRGO) is prepared through simple pyrolysis of graphene oxide‐supported cobalt‐based zeolitic imidazolate‐frameworks. Remarkable features of the porous carbon structure, N/Co‐doping effect, introduction of NRGO, and good contact between N/Co‐doped PCP and NRGO result in a high catalytic efficiency. The hybrid shows excellent electrocatalytic activities and kinetics for oxygen reduction reaction in basic media, which compares favorably with those of the Pt/C catalyst, together with superior durability, a four‐electron pathway, and excellent methanol tolerance. The hybrid also exhibits superior performance for hydrogen evolution reaction, offering a low onset overpotential of 58 mV and a stable current density of 10 mA cm−2 at 229 mV in acid media, as well as good catalytic performance for oxygen evolution reaction (a small overpotential of 1.66 V for 10 mA cm−2 current density). The dual‐active‐site mechanism originating from synergic effects between N/Co‐doped PCP and NRGO is responsible for the excellent performance of the hybrid. This development offers an attractive catalyst material for large‐scale fuel cells and water splitting technologies.
A cost-effective route for the preparation of Fe(3) C-based core-shell structured catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions was developed. The novel catalysts generated a much higher power density (i.e., three times higher at R(ex) of 1 Ω) than the Pt/C in microbial fuel cells. Furthermore, the N-Fe/Fe(3)C@C features an ultralow cost and excellent long-term stability suitable for mass production.
By increasing the density of exposed active edges, the perpendicularly oriented structure of MoSe2 nanosheets facilitates ion/electrolyte transport at the electrode interface and minimizes the restacking of nanosheets, while the graphene improves the electrical contact between the catalyst and the electrode. This makes the MoSe2 /graphene hybrid perfect as a catalyst in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). It shows a greatly improved catalytic activity compared with bare MoSe2 nanosheets.
The gradually “depleting” fossil fuels calls for development sustainable and pollution free energy, this work summarize the recent progress in exploring bifunctional electrocatalysts toward several potential electrochemical conversion devices.
A one-pot/one-step synthesis strategy was developed for the preparation of a nitrogen-doped carbon nanoarchitecture with graphene-nanosheet growth on the inner surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The N-graphene/CNT hybrids exhibit outstanding electrocatalytic activity for several important electrochemical reactions as a result of their unique morphology and defect structures, such as high but uniform nitrogen doping, graphene insertion into CNTs, considerable surface area, and the presence of iron nanoparticles. The high-yield synthetic process features high efficiency, low-cost, straightforward operation, and simple equipment.
Cost-effective cathode catalysts are critical to the development of microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology. Herein, a synthesis route is presented to improve the nitrogen content and nitrogen functionality in the nitrogen-doped activated carbon (AC) as a low cost and efficient catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). It was demonstrated that key factors for successful nitrogen doping were the proper pretreatment with acidic and alkaline solutions consecutively and the use of a solid-state nitrogen precursor. The AC pretreated with both acidic and alkaline solutions resulted in a nitrogen content of 8.65% (atom %) (in which 5.56% is pyridinic-N) on its surface, and exhibited an outstanding electrocatalytic activity for ORR in both electrochemical and MFC tests. A good agreement between pyridinic-N content and ORR activity was observed, indicating that pyridinic-N is the most active site for ORR in the nitrogen-doped AC. The pretreated nitrogen-doped AC catalysts resulted in a higher maximum power density than the untreated AC and the commercial Pt/C (10% Pt) catalysts. The exceptional performance associated with the advantages, such as simple and convenient preparation procedure, easily obtained raw materials, and low cost, makes the pretreated nitrogen-doped AC promising for the ongoing effort to scale up MFCs.
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