One-step nanocasting synthesis of sulfur and nitrogen co-doped ordered mesoporous carbons as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction

• SN–OMC was synthesized by one-step replication via a simple hard-template method.
• SN–OMC-900 shows nearly homogeneous dispersion of S and N atoms in the carbon framework.
• The synergistic effect of S and N in SN–OMC contributes to high ORR performance.

Ordered mesoporous carbon co-doped with sulfur and nitrogen (SN–OMC) is synthesized via one-step nanocasting route. Diphenylthiocarbazone is used as a single precursor for carbon, sulfur and nitrogen in the preparation of SN–OMCs. These catalysts are subjected to the physicochemical characterization and electrochemical evaluation toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in an alkaline electrolyte. SN–OMC obtained at 900 °C exhibits a high electrocatalytic activity for ORR and the impressive durability and methanol-tolerance. The synergistic effect of nitrogen and sulfur in mesoporous carbon walls may contribute to high oxygen electroreduction performance of SN–OMC.

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