Zigzag carbon as efficient and stable oxygen reduction electrocatalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Longfei Xue, Yongcheng Li, Xiaofang Liu, Qingtao Liu, Jiaxiang Shang, Huiping Duan (), Liming Dai () and Jianglan Shui ()
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Longfei Xue: Beihang University
Yongcheng Li: Beihang University
Xiaofang Liu: Beihang University
Qingtao Liu: Beihang University
Jiaxiang Shang: Beihang University
Huiping Duan: Beihang University
Liming Dai: Case Western Reserve University
Jianglan Shui: Beihang University

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Non-precious-metal or metal-free catalysts with stability are desirable but challenging for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Here we partially unzip a multiwall carbon nanotube to synthesize zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbons with a carbon nanotube backbone for electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Zigzag carbon exhibits a peak areal power density of 0.161 W cm−2 and a peak mass power density of 520 W g−1, superior to most non-precious-metal electrocatalysts. Notably, the stability of zigzag carbon is improved in comparison with a representative iron-nitrogen-carbon catalyst in a fuel cell with hydrogen/oxygen gases at 0.5 V. Density functional theory calculation coupled with experimentation reveal that a zigzag carbon atom is the most active site for oxygen reduction among several types of carbon defects on graphene nanoribbons in acid electrolyte. This work demonstrates that zigzag carbon is a promising electrocatalyst for low-cost and durable proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06279-x

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