A Facile Method for the Generation of Fe3C Nanoparticle and Fe-Nx Active Site in Carbon Matrix to Achieve Good Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrochemical Performances

Abstract

Introduction of both nitrogen and transition metal elements into the carbon materials has demonstrated to be a promising strategy to construct highly active electrode materials for energy shortage. In this work, through the coordination reaction between Fe3+ and 1,3,5–tris(4–aminophenyl)benzene, metallosupramolecular polymer precursors are designed for the preparation of carbon flakes co-doped with both Fe and N elements. The as-prepared carbon flakes display wrinkled edges and comprise Fe3C nanoparticle and active site of Fe–Nx. These carbon materials exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance. Towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the optimized sample has Eonset and Ehalf-wave of 0.93 V and 0.83 V in alkaline system, respectively, which are very close to that of Pt/C. This approach may offer a new way to high performance and low-cost electrochemical catalysts.