Scalable solid-phase synthesis of defect-rich graphene for oxygen reduction electrocatalysis

Chunxiao Dong; Li Yang; Cheng Lian; Xiaoling Yang; Yihua Zhu; Hongliang Jiang; Chunzhong Li

Green Energy & Environment (Feb 2023)

Scalable solid-phase synthesis of defect-rich graphene for oxygen reduction electrocatalysis

Chunxiao Dong,
Li Yang,
Cheng Lian,
Xiaoling Yang,
Yihua Zhu,
Hongliang Jiang,
Chunzhong Li

Affiliations

Chunxiao Dong: Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China; Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
Li Yang: Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China
Cheng Lian: School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
Xiaoling Yang: Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
Yihua Zhu: Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
Hongliang Jiang: Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China; Corresponding authors.
Chunzhong Li: Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China; Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China; Corresponding authors.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 8, no. 1
pp. 224 – 232

Abstract

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Defect-engineered carbon materials have been emerged as promising electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in metal-air batteries. Developing a facile strategy for the preparation of highly active nanocarbon electrocatalysts remains challenging. Herein, a low-cost and simple route is developed to synthesize defective graphene by pyrolyzing the mixture of glucose and carbon nitride. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the graphene formation is ascribed to two-dimensional layered feature of carbon nitride, and high compatibility of carbon nitride/glucose systems. Structural measurements suggest that the graphene possesses rich edge and topological defects. The graphene catalyst exhibits higher power density than commercial Pt/C catalyst in a primary Zn-air battery. Combining experimental results and theoretical thermodynamic analysis, it is identified that graphitic nitrogen-modified topological defects at carbon framework edges are responsible for the decent ORR performance. The strategy presented in this work can be can be scaled up readily to fabricate defective carbon materials.

Published in Green Energy & Environment

ISSN: 2468-0257 (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Technology: Mechanical engineering and machinery: Renewable energy sources; Science: Biology (General): Ecology
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/green-energy-and-environment/

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