One-step synthesis of dopamine-derived micro/mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon materials for highly efficient oxygen-reduction catalysts

Micro/mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon (m-NC) materials have been prepared by a simple one-step pyrolysis of dopamine in the presence of FeCl3 at 350-750 °C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) N 1s spectra indicate three types of C-N bonding patterns: graphitic N, pyrrolic N and pyridinic N. The electrocatalytic properties towards oxygen reduction reaction were investigated in alkaline media. Results indicated that the m-NC-600 with the highest content of pyridinic N and graphitic N showed improved electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in terms of onset potential, number of electron transferred and limiting current density. Moreover, the durability in alkaline media of the as-prepared m-NC-600 catalyst was found to be superior to the commercial Pt/C catalyst.