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Fe–N/C nanofiber electrocatalysts with improved activity and stability for oxygen reduction in alkaline and acid solutions

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Abstract

Fe–N/C nanofiber (Fe–N/CNF) electrocatalysts were prepared by impregnating electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers with iron nitrate (Fe(NO3)3) solution and subsequent heat treatment, exhibiting improved activity and stability during oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) both in 0.1 M KOH (pH = 13) and 0.5 M H2SO4 (pH = 0) electrolyte solutions. Higher treatment temperature and NH3 atmosphere were preferred by the Fe–N/CNF catalysts, and especially the concentration of Fe(NO3)3 solution exerted great effects on the surface morphology, structure, and thus electrocatalytic performance of the catalysts. The Fe–N/CNFs prepared using 0.5 wt% Fe(NO3)3 solution showed relatively higher ORR activity in alkaline and acid solutions and better stability especially in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution than the catalyst without Fe, probably because Fe could promote the graphitization of the polymer-converted carbon species, enhancing the resistance to electrochemical oxidation and thus the stability of the Fe–N/CNF catalysts.

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Acknowledgments

The work was financially supported by the NSFC (grant nos. 50972033, 50572019, and 51102064), the New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET060343), the SRF for ROCS, SEM, S&T Program of Shenzhen government (JC200903120176A and JC201005260171A), and HIT.NSRIF.2010130.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department Material Science & Engineering, Shenzhen Graduate School, Harbin Institute of Technology, University Town, Xili, Shenzhen, 518055, China

    Yejun Qiu, Jie Yu, Wenhua Wu, Jing Yin & Xuedong Bai

Authors
  1. Yejun Qiu
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  2. Jie Yu
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  3. Wenhua Wu
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  4. Jing Yin
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  5. Xuedong Bai
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Correspondence to Jie Yu or Xuedong Bai.

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Qiu, Y., Yu, J., Wu, W. et al. Fe–N/C nanofiber electrocatalysts with improved activity and stability for oxygen reduction in alkaline and acid solutions. J Solid State Electrochem 17, 565–573 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-012-1888-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-012-1888-z

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