A unique synthesis of macroporous N-doped carbon composite catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

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dc.contributor.authorKarunagaran, R.
dc.contributor.authorTran, D.
dc.contributor.authorTung, T.T.
dc.contributor.authorShearer, C.
dc.contributor.authorLosic, D.
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractMacroporous carbon materials (MCMs) are used extensively for many electrocatalytic applications, particularly as catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs)—for example, in fuel cells. However, complex processes are currently required for synthesis of MCMs. We present a rapid and facile synthetic approach to produce tailored MCMs efficiently via pyrolysis of sulfonated aniline oligomers (SAOs). Thermal decomposition of SAO releases SO2 gas which acts as a blowing agent to form the macroporous structures. This process was used to synthesise three specifically tailored nitrogen (N)-doped MCM catalysts: N-SAO, N-SAO (phenol formaldehyde) (PF) and N-SAO-reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of macropores (100–350 µm). Investigation of ORR efficacy showed that N-SAOPF performed with the highest onset potential of 0.98 V (vs. RHE) and N-SAOrGO showed the highest limiting current density of 7.89 mAcm−2. The macroporous structure and ORR efficacy of the MCM catalysts synthesised using this novel process suggest that this method can be used to streamline MCM production while enabling the formation of composite materials that can be tailored for greater efficiency in many applications.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityRamesh Karunagaran, Diana Tran, Tran Thanh Tung, Cameron Shearer and Dusan Losic
dc.identifier.citationNanomaterials, 2021; 11(1):1-18
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/nano11010043
dc.identifier.issn2079-4991
dc.identifier.issn2079-4991
dc.identifier.orcidKarunagaran, R. [0000-0001-7939-4775]
dc.identifier.orcidTran, D. [0000-0002-4023-3373]
dc.identifier.orcidTung, T.T. [0000-0002-1535-5109]
dc.identifier.orcidShearer, C. [0000-0002-8192-3696]
dc.identifier.orcidLosic, D. [0000-0002-1930-072X]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/129703
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherMDPI
dc.rightsCopyright: © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/).
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.3390/nano11010043
dc.subjectPorous carbon; N-doped carbon; electrocatalyst; carbon composites; sulphonated aniline
dc.titleA unique synthesis of macroporous N-doped carbon composite catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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