Small-Angle X-ray Scattering Monitoring of Porosity Evolution in Iron-Nitrogen-Carbon Electrocatalysts.

ABSTRACT: This study highlights the use of anomalous and small-angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS/SAXS) to monitor the evolution of micro- and mesoporosity during the synthesis of iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe-N-C) electrocatalysts. A structural model-free SAXS approach enabled the determination of 13 structural parameters across five Fe-N-C electrocatalysts, compared to a commercial PMF-12704, Pajarito Powder. SAXS revealed hierarchical pore formation and structural changes spanning micro- to macroscales. Key features, such as pore curvature, porosity, and disorder, increased with synthesis modifications, correlating with enhanced oxygen reduction activity and reduced hydrogen peroxide yield. Notably, an average graphene layer curvature (l_R-Ruland length) above 3 nm was critical for forming

SUBMITTER: Jager R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12659431 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature