Highly Active Metal-free Nitrogen-Containing Carbon Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Synthesized by ThermalTreatment of Polypyridine-Carbon Black Mixtures

Abstract
A straight-forward method for the synthesis of metal-free catalysts for oxygen reduction by thermal treatment of a mixture of poly(3,5-pyridine) with carbon black in helium is reported. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction and photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and rotating disk electrode measurements. The new catalyst exhibited remarkable activity similar to Pt-based catalysts in alkaline media.
Description
Keywords
Oxygen reduction; Metal-free catalysts; Thermal treatment; Polypyridine
Citation
Xia, W., Masa, J., Bron, M., Schuhmann, W., & Muhler, M. (2011). Highly active metal-free nitrogen-containing carbon catalysts for oxygen reduction synthesized by thermal treatment of polypyridine-carbon black mixtures. Electrochemistry communications, 13(6), 593-596.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2011.03.018