Preparation of multistage microporous and mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon nanospheres and study on electrocatalytic oxygen reduction

Abstract

Non-metallic carbon-based catalysts are one of the most promising catalysts for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction (ORR). However, the controlled synthesis of the pore structures of carbon-based catalysts and the determination of catalytic sites still remains to be further explored. Based on this, two nitrogen-doped carbon-based catalysts with microporous and mesoporous structures were prepared in this paper. The two catalysts had different pore structures and nitrogen-doped species. The experimental results showed that the carbon-based catalyst (PC-NH3) rich in microporous structure and pyridine nitrogen doping had better catalytic performance, the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction performance of the catalyst was comparable to that of the platinum catalyst, and it had excellent methanol resistance and stability. This study provided important guidance for the application of porous carbon materials in oxygen reduction.