Red-blood-cell like nitrogen-doped carbons with highly catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction

In this work, we prepare a high-performance ORR catalyst derived from PANI@PS composites with a unique red-blood-cell like morphology through heat treatment. This novel RBC-like catalyst is similar with RBC to adsorb and diffuse O2. The unique structure of catalyst Fe,N-C@carbon-900 affords abundant catalytic sites and facilitates mass and electron transfer process during the oxygen reduction process. The catalyst exhibits the ORR Eonset at 0.87 V, E1/2 at 0.78 V and high diffusion-limiting current density (5.20 mA/cm2), which are approaching that of Pt/C in alkaline medium. We also provide a rational design of electrocatalysts with high ORR activity to further clarify the essential ORR sites of heteroatom doped carbon materials for fuel cells and metal-air battery applications.