Electrocatalytic oxygen reduction activity of boron-doped carbon nanoparticles synthesized via solution plasma process

•Boron-doped carbon nanoparticles (BCNP) were synthesized by solution plasma process.•Boron doping can improve the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity in alkaline solution.•The ORR catalyzed on BCNP proceeds through two-step consecutive two-electron pathway.•BCNP exhibits better durability in comparison with a commercial Pt/carbon catalyst.

The synthesis of boron-doped carbon nanoparticles (BCNP) has been achieved through a solution plasma process without the addition of a metal catalyst source using a mixture of benzene and triphenyl borate as precursor. The electrocatalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of BCNP can be improved in terms of onset potential and current density compared to that of undoped carbon nanoparticles in alkaline solution. Moreover, BCNP possesses superior long-term durability and tolerance to methanol oxidation in the ORR.

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