Modulating the electrocatalytic activity of N-doped carbon frameworks via coupling with dual metals for Zn–air batteries
Abstract N-Doped carbon electrocatalysts are a promising alternative to precious metal catalysts to promote oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, it remains a challenge to design the desired active sites on carbon skeletons in a controllable manner for ORR. Herein, we developed a facile approach...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Nano Convergence |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40580-022-00308-8 |
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| author | Jung Hyun Park Jae-Hoon Shin Jong-Min Ju Jun-Hyeong Lee Chanhee Choi Yoonhee So Hyunji Lee Jong-Ho Kim |
| author_facet | Jung Hyun Park Jae-Hoon Shin Jong-Min Ju Jun-Hyeong Lee Chanhee Choi Yoonhee So Hyunji Lee Jong-Ho Kim |
| author_sort | Jung Hyun Park |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract N-Doped carbon electrocatalysts are a promising alternative to precious metal catalysts to promote oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, it remains a challenge to design the desired active sites on carbon skeletons in a controllable manner for ORR. Herein, we developed a facile approach based on oxygen-mediated solvothermal radical reaction (OSRR) for preparation of N-doped carbon electrocatalysts with a pre-designed active site and modulated catalytic activity for ORR. In the OSRR, 2-methylimidazole reacted with Co and Mn salts to form an active site precursor (MnCo-MIm) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) at room temperature. Then, the reaction temperature increased to 140 °C under an oxygen atmosphere to generate NMP radicals, followed by their polymerization with the pre-formed MnCo-MIm to produce Mn-coupled Co nanoparticle-embedded N-doped carbon framework (MnCo-NCF). The MnCo-NCF showed uniform dispersion of nitrogen atoms and Mn-doped Co nanoparticles on the carbon skeleton with micropores and mesopores. The MnCo-NCF exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity for ORR than did a Co nanoparticle only-incorporated carbon framework due to the improved charge transfer from the Mn-doped Co nanoparticles to the carbon skeleton. In addition, the Zn–air battery assembled with MnCo-NCF had superior performance and durability to the battery using commercial Pt/C. This facile approach can be extended for designing carbon electrocatalysts with desired active sites to promote specific reactions. Graphical Abstract |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T22:07:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3abe6b91ec4548ba85a1c648d18a94f6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2196-5404 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T22:07:28Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nano Convergence |
| spelling | doaj.art-3abe6b91ec4548ba85a1c648d18a94f62022-12-22T00:10:20ZengSpringerOpenNano Convergence2196-54042022-04-019111010.1186/s40580-022-00308-8Modulating the electrocatalytic activity of N-doped carbon frameworks via coupling with dual metals for Zn–air batteriesJung Hyun Park0Jae-Hoon Shin1Jong-Min Ju2Jun-Hyeong Lee3Chanhee Choi4Yoonhee So5Hyunji Lee6Jong-Ho Kim7Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana ChampaignDepartment of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Hanyang UniversityDepartment of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Hanyang UniversityDepartment of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Hanyang UniversityDepartment of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Hanyang UniversityDepartment of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Hanyang UniversityDepartment of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Hanyang UniversityDepartment of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Hanyang UniversityAbstract N-Doped carbon electrocatalysts are a promising alternative to precious metal catalysts to promote oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, it remains a challenge to design the desired active sites on carbon skeletons in a controllable manner for ORR. Herein, we developed a facile approach based on oxygen-mediated solvothermal radical reaction (OSRR) for preparation of N-doped carbon electrocatalysts with a pre-designed active site and modulated catalytic activity for ORR. In the OSRR, 2-methylimidazole reacted with Co and Mn salts to form an active site precursor (MnCo-MIm) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) at room temperature. Then, the reaction temperature increased to 140 °C under an oxygen atmosphere to generate NMP radicals, followed by their polymerization with the pre-formed MnCo-MIm to produce Mn-coupled Co nanoparticle-embedded N-doped carbon framework (MnCo-NCF). The MnCo-NCF showed uniform dispersion of nitrogen atoms and Mn-doped Co nanoparticles on the carbon skeleton with micropores and mesopores. The MnCo-NCF exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity for ORR than did a Co nanoparticle only-incorporated carbon framework due to the improved charge transfer from the Mn-doped Co nanoparticles to the carbon skeleton. In addition, the Zn–air battery assembled with MnCo-NCF had superior performance and durability to the battery using commercial Pt/C. This facile approach can be extended for designing carbon electrocatalysts with desired active sites to promote specific reactions. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40580-022-00308-8Dual metal incorporationN-doped carbon frameworkOxygen electrocatalystOxygen reduction reactionOxygen-mediated solvothermal radical reactionZn–air battery |
| spellingShingle | Jung Hyun Park Jae-Hoon Shin Jong-Min Ju Jun-Hyeong Lee Chanhee Choi Yoonhee So Hyunji Lee Jong-Ho Kim Modulating the electrocatalytic activity of N-doped carbon frameworks via coupling with dual metals for Zn–air batteries Nano Convergence Dual metal incorporation N-doped carbon framework Oxygen electrocatalyst Oxygen reduction reaction Oxygen-mediated solvothermal radical reaction Zn–air battery |
| title | Modulating the electrocatalytic activity of N-doped carbon frameworks via coupling with dual metals for Zn–air batteries |
| title_full | Modulating the electrocatalytic activity of N-doped carbon frameworks via coupling with dual metals for Zn–air batteries |
| title_fullStr | Modulating the electrocatalytic activity of N-doped carbon frameworks via coupling with dual metals for Zn–air batteries |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modulating the electrocatalytic activity of N-doped carbon frameworks via coupling with dual metals for Zn–air batteries |
| title_short | Modulating the electrocatalytic activity of N-doped carbon frameworks via coupling with dual metals for Zn–air batteries |
| title_sort | modulating the electrocatalytic activity of n doped carbon frameworks via coupling with dual metals for zn air batteries |
| topic | Dual metal incorporation N-doped carbon framework Oxygen electrocatalyst Oxygen reduction reaction Oxygen-mediated solvothermal radical reaction Zn–air battery |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40580-022-00308-8 |
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