Bayatsarmadi, B.Zheng, Y.Jaroniec, M.Qiao, S.2016-09-262016-09-262015Chemistry - An Asian Journal, 2015; 10(7):1546-15531861-47281861-471Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/101365The development of ordered mesoporous carbon materials with controllable structures and improved physicochemical properties by doping heteroatoms such as nitrogen into the carbon framework has attracted a lot of attention, especially in relation to energy storage and conversion. Herein, a series of nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon spheres (NMCs) was synthesized via a facile dual soft-templating procedure by tuning the nitrogen content and carbonization temperature. Various physical and (electro)chemical properties of the NMCs have been comprehensively investigated to pave the way for a feasible design of nitrogen-containing porous carbon materials. The optimized sample showed a favorable electrocatalytic activity as evidenced by a high kinetic current and positive onset potential for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) due to its large surface area, high pore volume, good conductivity, and high nitrogen content, which make it a highly efficient ORR metal-free catalyst in alkaline solutions.en© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, WeinheimElectrocatalystmesoporous carbonnitrogen-dopingoxygen reduction reactionsoft-templatingJournal article003002772110.1002/asia.2015002870003572065000162-s2.0-850279539432-s2.0-849342848102-s2.0-84929428703184409Bayatsarmadi, B. [0000-0002-2397-5850]Zheng, Y. [0000-0002-2411-8041]Qiao, S. [0000-0002-1220-1761] [0000-0002-4568-8422]