Multifunctional Disordered Sulfur-Doped Carbon for Efficient Sodium-Ion-Exchange and 2-Electron-Transfer-Dominant Oxygen Reduction

Multifunctional disordered sulfur-doped carbon catalyst is demonstrated for use in both sodium-ion exchange and the 2-electron-transfer-dominant oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for energy storage and conversion applications. The disordered sulfur-doped carbon prepared via a simple plasma-in-liquid approach showed distinct performance for each electrochemical application, and the underlying fundamental mechanisms were experimentally demonstrated. Benefiting from the enhanced reaction kinetics derived from C-S covalent bonds, superior sodium-ion-exchange performance with a high reversible capacity of similar to 150 mA h g(-1) over 5000 cycles is achieved with a stable rate capability. In addition, an efficient 2-electron-transfer-dominant ORR with a high current density of similar to 25.66 mA cm(-2) at a low overpotential of similar to 0.890 V (vs. RHE) is obtained. This work cautiously proposes the importance of sulfur bonded to carbon to boost its electrochemical performance and is expected to provide new perspectives for various interdisciplinary applications. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

A multifunctional disordered sulfur-doped carbon catalyst shows distinct performance in both sodium-ion exchange and oxygen reduction reaction, with enhanced reaction kinetics from C-S covalent bonds. This work proposes the importance of sulfur bonded to carbon for boosting its electrochemical performance, providing new perspectives for interdisciplinary applications.