Synthesis of boron and nitrogen co-doped graphene nano-platelets using a two-step solution process and catalytic properties for oxygen reduction reaction

•B and N co-doped graphene materials were synthesized using a solution process.•The graphene materials were produced by sequential treatment of B and N sources.•The graphene materials showed catalytic activities for oxygen reduction reaction.

Chemically modified graphenes (CMGs) show great promise for various applications owing to the feasibility of their low-cost mass production and good solution processability. Recently, hetero-atom-doped CMGs have been suggested as good candidate materials for electrochemical catalysts in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this study, we synthesized B, N co-doped graphene nano-platelets (BN-rG-O) using a two-step solution process with sequential reaction of graphene oxide with borane tetrahydrofuran and hydrazine monohydrate. In the ORR measured in a basic medium (0.1 M KOH), BN-rG-O exhibits an onset potential of 0.81 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode), follows near four electron pathway, and shows excellent stability against methanol poisoning and during durability tests.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide