Transforming Two-Dimensional Boron Carbide into Boron and Chlorine Dual-Doped Carbon Nanotubes by Chlorination for Efficient Oxygen Reduction

Abstract

Our theoretical calculations suggest that the synergistic effect between the electron acceptor (B) and donor (Cl) in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (BClCNTs) is the key to excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. However, the rational fabrication of BClCNTs is still an open question. Here, we first present a metalfree and controlled strategy for successful preparation of BClCNTs via chemically tailoring two-dimensional (2D) boron carbide (B 4 C) with Cl 2 . Accompanied by partial extraction of B atoms from B 4 C with Cl 2 , the residue B and C atoms combining with Cl atoms self-organize into nanotube microstructures. Significantly, the amount of heteroatoms (B and Cl) can be tuned in terms of altering chlorine-to-carbide molar ratios. As expected, as a metal-free ORR catalyst, the produced BClCNTs exhibit a higher onset potential (0.94 V vs a reversible hydrogen electrode; RHE) and half-wave potential (0.84 V) as well as greater stability than those of commercial Pt/C (0.92 and 0.80 V).

High-performance artificial nitrogen fixation at ambient conditions using a metal-free electrocatalyst

“…1a , the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern for B 4 C is highly crystalline with diffraction peaks at 19.7°, 22.0°, 23.5°, 31.9°, 34.9°, 37.8°, 53.5°, 63.7°, and 66.7° that are indexed to the (101), (003), (012), (110), (104), (021), (205), (125), and (220) planes of B 4 C phase (JCPDS No. 35-0798) 44 , respectively. Further characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirm the formation of nanosheets after liquid exfoliation, as shown in Supplementary Fig.…”

Efficient Oxygen Reduction Catalysts of Porous Carbon Nanostructures Decorated with Transition Metal Species

“…In the field of ORR catalysts, porous carbon nanostructures decorated with TM species are also one of the hot areas for their high catalytic property and long‐term stability 6–10. On one hand, the carbon bases are usually doped with heteroatoms (e.g., N, P, S, or B) 11. The heteroatom‐doped carbon bases with sp 2 configuration can serve as electron donor or acceptor when combined with TM nanostructures.…”

Lignin derived multi-doped (N, S, Cl) carbon materials as excellent electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

“…For examples, Dai designed a multifunctional electrocatalyst (composed of N, P, and F) that exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activities for the ORR, oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) [35] . Through theoretical calculation and experimental verification, Mu reported B, Cl co-doped carbon materials with a higher onset potential and half-wave potential than those of commercial Pt/C in the alkaline medium [36] . Unfortunately, as far as we know, no progress has been made in the exploration of chlorine-doped carbon materials under acidic conditions, regardless of their activity or durability.…”