Heat-treated hemin supported on graphene nanoplatelets for the oxygen reduction reaction

A bio-material, hemin, was heat-treated and used as an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst. In addition to heat-treatment, two methods were used to improve the catalysts' electrochemical activity. First, high surface area graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were chosen as a catalyst support. Second, ultrasound was used to break the catalyst samples into smaller pieces. Hemin supported on GNP and heat-treated at 600 °C showed significantly higher catalytic activity than those without ultrasonic treatment. Furthermore, a single fuel cell fabricated with the synthesized catalyst yielded a power density of 300 mW cm− 2.

► Oxygen reduction reaction catalysts were synthesized by heat-treatment of hemin.
► Graphene nanoplatelets are an excellent support for synthesis of these catalysts.
► Ultrasound is a powerful tool to break the catalysts into nano-materials.
► The catalysts showed highly catalytic activity for oxygen 4-electron reduction.
► A single fuel cell fabricated with these catalysts yielded 300 mW·cm– 2.