Co nanoparticle embedded in atomically-dispersed Co-N-C nanofibers for oxygen reduction with high activity and remarkable durability

Cheng, Qingqing1,2; Han, Shaobo3,4; Mao, Kun5; Chen, Chi1; Yang, Lijun5; Zou, Zhiqing1; Gu, Meng3; Hu, Zheng5; Yang, Hui1

2018-10

10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.08.005

Nano Energy   影响因子和分区

2211-2855

2211-3282

Although Co and N codoped carbon (Co-N-C) materials could be served as the promising oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts, they still suffer from unsatisfactory catalytic activity, especially in acidic environment. Herein, we report that the construction of Co nanoparticles embedded within highly porous, atomically-dispersed Co-N-C nanofibers catalyst not only significantly improves the ORR activity with a half-wave potential (E-1/2) of 0.778 V/RHE, but also achieves the remarkable durability with only similar to 9 mV decay of E-1/2 after a 10000-cycle accelerated durability test between 0.6 and 1.1 V. Both aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope and X-ray adsorption spectroscopy confirm the existence of Co single atoms in the carbon nanofibers. Density functional theoretical calculation reveals that the introduction of Co core nanoparticle lowers the d band center of surface Co atoms in graphite shells and makes the free energy diagrams of the ORR process on Co-N-C shell more close to the ideal case, thus boosting the catalytic performance. Proton exchange membrane fuel cell integrated with as-prepared catalyst delivers a peak power density of 0.42Wcm(-2) together with excellent stability after 100 h operation. This study provides an ideal perspective to develop highly efficient and durable Co-based catalyst for the oxygen reduction.

Embedded Co nanoparticle Single Co atom Oxygen reduction reaction Long-term durability Proton exchange membrane fuel cell

SCI ; EI

英语

通讯

National Natural Science Foundation of China[21533005] ; National Natural Science Foundation of China[216673275] ; National Natural Science Foundation of China[21573107]

Chemistry ; Science & Technology - Other Topics ; Materials Science ; Physics

Chemistry, Physical ; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology ; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary ; Physics, Applied

WOS:000444859700050

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

20183405732694

Atoms ; Carbon nanofibers ; Catalyst activity ; Cobalt ; Density functional theory ; Durability ; Electrocatalysts ; Electrolytic reduction ; Free energy ; Nanocatalysts ; Nanoparticles ; Oxygen ; Transmission electron microscopy

Ore Treatment:533.1 ; Nonferrous Metals and Alloys excluding Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals:549.3 ; Thermodynamics:641.1 ; Fuel Cells:702.2 ; Nanotechnology:761 ; Chemical Agents and Basic Industrial Chemicals:803 ; Chemical Products Generally:804 ; Atomic and Molecular Physics:931.3 ; Solid State Physics:933

Web of Science

1.Chinese Acad Sci, Shanghai Adv Res Inst, Shanghai 201210, Peoples R China
2.Univ Chinese Acad Sci, Beijing 100039, Peoples R China
3.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Mat Sci & Engn, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China
4.Univ Elect Sci & Technol China, Sch Phys, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, Peoples R China
5.Nanjing Univ, Sch Chem & Chem Engn, MOE, Key Lab Mesoscop Chem, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, Peoples R China

Cheng, Qingqing,Han, Shaobo,Mao, Kun,et al. Co nanoparticle embedded in atomically-dispersed Co-N-C nanofibers for oxygen reduction with high activity and remarkable durability[J]. Nano Energy,2018,52:485-493.

Cheng, Qingqing.,Han, Shaobo.,Mao, Kun.,Chen, Chi.,Yang, Lijun.,...&Yang, Hui.(2018).Co nanoparticle embedded in atomically-dispersed Co-N-C nanofibers for oxygen reduction with high activity and remarkable durability.Nano Energy,52,485-493.

Cheng, Qingqing,et al."Co nanoparticle embedded in atomically-dispersed Co-N-C nanofibers for oxygen reduction with high activity and remarkable durability".Nano Energy 52(2018):485-493.