Three-dimensional B,N-doped graphene foam as a metal-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2013 Aug 7;15(29):12220-6. doi: 10.1039/c3cp51942b. Epub 2013 Jun 17.

Abstract

Using a modified chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, we have prepared a class of new graphene foams (GFs) doped with nitrogen, boron or both. Nitrogen-doped graphene foams (N-GFs) with a nitrogen doping level of 3.1 atom% were prepared by CVD of CH4 in the presence of NH3 while boron-doped graphene foams (B-GFs) with a boron doping level of 2.1 atom% were produced by using toluene and triethyl borate as a carbon and a boron source. On the other hand, graphene foams co-doped with nitrogen (4.5 atom%) and boron (3 atom%) (BN-GFs) were prepared by CVD using melamine diborate as the precursor. In all cases, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed well-defined foam-like microstructures, while electrochemical measurements showed much higher electrocatalytic activities toward oxygen reduction reaction for the doped graphene foams than their undoped counterparts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Ammonia / chemistry
  • Boron / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Methane / chemistry
  • Nitrogen / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxygen / chemistry*
  • Toluene / chemistry

Substances

  • Toluene
  • Ammonia
  • Graphite
  • Nitrogen
  • Boron
  • Methane
  • Oxygen