New class of porous and metal-free electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction by enhanced amide functionalization on graphene

Joint Conference: International Conference on DIAMOND AND CARBON MATERIALS & GRAPHENE AND SEMICONDUCTORS

July 17-18, 2017 Chicago, USA

Mohammad Shamsuddin Ahmed and Young-Bae Kim

Chonnam National University, Republic of Korea

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Material Sci Eng

Abstract :

In the meantime, considerable effort has been focused to search for sustainable and renewable sources of green and clean energy because of the increasing demands and environmental impact of traditional energy resources, such as fossil fuels. Fuel cells (FCs) obtain significant attention as next generation energy sources because of their superior energy conversion efficiency and potential to provide clean energy. Metal-free electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in FCs are an interesting research topic due to low cost much stable and tolerance to crossover effect than that of expensive noble metals. However, a porous graphene catalyst has been prepared with 1,4-diaminobutane (DAB) through amide functionalization, and has been used as a metal-free electrocatalyst for ORR in alkaline fuel cells. DAB has been used as a junction among functionalized graphene layers to impart electrocatalytic activity for the ORR resultant from the interlayer charge transfer. The successful amidation in the process of catalyst preparation have been confirmed. A hierarchical porous structure has also been confirmed through surface morphological analysis. The BET specific surface area and thermal stability have increased after successful amide functionalization. The as-prepared catalyst has been proven an efficient metal-free electrocatalyst with better electrocatalytic activity, stability, and tolerance to crossover effect than commercially available Pt/C for ORR via a direct four-electron involved pathway. This report will encourage preparing many more carbon-based electrocatalysts for other electrochemical applications including catalysis and sensing.

Biography :

Email: suddin_bcsir@yahoo.com