Harnessing inherently hierarchical microstructures of plant biomass to construct three-dimensional nanoporous nitrogen-doped carbons as efficient and durable oxygen reduction electrocatalysts.

ABSTRACT: Exploiting the natural structures of plants to prepare high-performance carbon-based electrocatalysts is highly desirable. Herein, the inherently hierarchical microstructures of Euphorbia tirucalli (E. tirucalli) are employed to construct three-dimensional nanoporous nitrogen-doped carbons that act as efficient and durable electrocatalysts towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). During the preparation process, agar is used in order to reduce the dissipation of nitrogen and to protect the fine structures of E. tirucalli. The as-prepared ORR catalyst, with a high density of pyridinic and graphitic nitrogens, presents a high catalytic activity (onset potential of 0.97 V vs. RHE, half-wave potential of 0.82 V vs. RHE, limiting current density of 5.64 mA

SUBMITTER: Tang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9076167 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature