Facile synthesis of boron and nitrogen-dual-doped graphene sheets anchored platinum nanoparticles for oxygen reduction reaction

•A novel strategy for the facile synthesis of boron and nitrogen-dual-doped graphene sheets (BNG) is reported.•The synergistic improvement of BNG on Pt for ORR is investigated for the first time.•The BNG ingeniously anchor Pt nanoparticles ensuring Pt/BNG an excellent durability.•The Pt/BNG catalyst shows 60 mV more positive half-wave potential and nearly three times the mass activity compared with Pt/C.

Boron and nitrogen-dual-doped graphene sheets (BNG) has been conveniently synthesized by a novel strategy, including one-step pyrolysis of nitrogen and boron-containing borane-tert-butylamine complex impregnated with cobalt ions. The BNG with a relatively high boron and nitrogen-doping level is used it as Pt support for oxygen reduction reaction for the first time. An excellent electron-donating of BNG to Pt that facilitates the reduction of O2 and strengthens BNG/Pt interaction has been evidenced. The novel Pt/BNG catalyst exhibits highly improved electrocatalytic activity and stability compared with commercial Pt/C. In O2-saturated 0.1 M HClO4, the Pt/BNG catalyst shows a mass activity of 213.6 mA mg−1Pt at 0.9 V vs. RHE, which is nearly three times as high as that of commercial Pt/C. In addition, the Pt/BNG catalyst displays much higher stability than Pt/C in continuous potential cycling tests.

Graphical abstractBoron and nitrogen-dual-doped graphene sheets was facilely synthesized and it highly improved Pt for ORR.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide