Catalytic properties of graphitic and pyridinic nitrogen doped on carbon black for oxygen reduction reaction

Pure graphitic nitrogen (G-N) was doped on carbon black by Hummers method and a following heat treatment was used to transform the G-N to pyridinic (P)-N. An oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) study showed that the G-N site doped on carbon gave a two-electron ORR with H2O2 as the main product, while the P-N site gave the four-electron process of ORR and decreased the production of H2O2. The results help the understanding and design of doped N-based ORR electrocatalysts.

Graphical AbstractThe G-N site doped on carbon gave the two-electron process and increased the production of H2O2, while the P-N site gave the four-electron process of ORR and decreased the production of H2O2.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide