Three dimensional nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur doped porous graphene as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cell

The development of efficient and durable bifunctional catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) is desirable but remains a great challenge. Herein, a series of new three-dimensional (3D) nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur doped porous graphene (NPS G) were fabricated by facile and cost-effective strategy, as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cell. To obtain superior ORR and MOR bifunctional catalytic activities, we optimized the doping amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur in catalysts. The resulting metal-free NPS G(2) catalyst had a long-term stability, desirable four electron pathway and excellent methanol poisoning tolerance. Moreover, NPS G(2) exhibited higher onset potential compared to other metal-free NPS G, and close to commerical Pt/C catalyst current density under the same conditions. In addition, a series of NPS G used as good supports for Pt nanoparticles. Pt/NPS G(2) catalyst displayed remarkable electrochemical performance, better cyclic stability and tolerance in methanol electrooxidation reaction. (c) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Efforts have been made to develop efficient and durable bifunctional catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction and methanol oxidation reaction, leading to the fabrication of a series of new three-dimensional nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur doped porous graphene (NPS G) as efficient electrocatalysts. The optimized NPS G(2) catalyst exhibited superior catalytic activities with long-term stability and excellent methanol poisoning tolerance, showing promising potential in direct methanol fuel cells and methanol electrooxidation reactions.