Progress of Nonmetallic Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reactions

Abstract

As a key role in hindering the large-scale application of fuel cells, oxygen reduction reaction has always been a hot issue and nodus. Aiming to explore state-of-art electrocatalysts, this paper reviews the latest development of nonmetallic catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions, including single atoms doped with carbon materials such as N, B, P or S and multi-doped carbon materials. Afterward, the remaining challenges and research directions of carbon-based nonmetallic catalysts are prospected.

A graphite/amorphous diamond coupled framework with high ORR and OER performance applied as a cathode catalyst in zinc–air batteries

“…To solve the problem of poor performance of sp 3 hybridized carbon, a strategy of B,N co-doped graphite/amorphous diamond coupled framework is proposed in this paper. 22 B doping enhances the degree of graphitization of carbon materials and induces a part of graphite to transform into diamond. XRD and TEM analysis show that the diamond structure is amorphous and has the characteristics of intermediate order at several atomic levels.…”

Xerogel-Derived Manganese Oxide/N-Doped Carbon as a Non-Precious Metal-Based Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalyst in Microbial Fuel Cells for Energy Conversion Applications

“…Among these problems, the cathodic ORR is considered as one of the major obstacles both in terms of its slow, sluggish kinetics and poor stability of the cathode catalyst [10]. In general, Pt/C has been used as an ORR catalyst; however, due to its high cost, limited reserves, and its weakness towards poisoning and deactivation in the presence of typical MFC metabolites, it led us to search for alternative catalysts that are cost effective and, at the same time, as efficient as the Pt/C catalyst [11]. Several researchers explored various transition metal-based catalysts composed of Co and Fe [12,13].…”