Biomass-derived nitrogen-doped porous carbons with ultra-high surface area for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

Highly efficient and stable metal-free Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) catalyst is derived from low-cost and green biomass, the plum blossom. After activating with KOH and doping with N via introduction of melamine followed by high-temperature treatment, the obtained porous carbon exhibits unique honeycomb like structure and ultra-high surface area of up to 2118.9 m2 g−1 together with multiple N coordination in carbon matrix. These characteristics endow the as-prepared electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity (E1/2 = 0.82 V and JL = 5.96 mA cm−2) as well as outstanding long-term stability (current retention of 91.2% after 50,000 s) and methanol tolerance in alkaline media. Consequently, it is of immense significance to fabricate novel ORR catalysts derived from biomass in the evolvement of fuel cells.