Solvothermal co-gelation synthesis of N-doped three-dimensional open macro/mesoporous carbon as efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

- N-doped 3D open macro/mesoporous carbon electrocatalyst for ORR is prepared.
- A novel solvothermal co-gelation synthetic strategy is developed.
- The N-doped carbon possesses favorable structure features for ORR catalysis.
- The ORR Eonset is as high as 0.91 V, and J@0.2 V is comparable to Pt/C.
- This catalyst shows excellent stability and is free from fuel crossover poisoning.

A facile solvothermal method is developed to synthesize N-doped 3D bicontinuous macro/mesoporous carbon through co-gelation of in-situ polymerized N-enriched resin together with in-situ formed colloidal silica packing domains. The resultant material possesses abundant pyridinic/graphitic N, respectable surface area, and smooth pore channels (interconnected macropores with open mesopores ca. 16 nm). Due to the combined contributions of above features, it shows high oxygen reduction catalytic activity with excellent durability and tolerance to methanol crossover effect.

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