Iron–polypyrrole electrocatalyst with remarkable activity and stability for ORR in both alkaline and acidic conditions: a comprehensive assessment of catalyst preparation sequence

摘要: A new facile template-free method is presented to synthesize Fe-treated N-doped carbon (Fe/N–C) catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) by employing a synthesis protocol of pyrolysis–leaching–stabilization (PLS) sequence polypyrrole in the presence ferric source, which serves dual purposes an oxidant pyrrole polymerization and iron source. Each step PLS assessed detail terms related structural properties resulting catalysts, their effects on ORR activities are elaborated confirm validity current protocol. It found that as-prepared catalyst exhibits outstanding high catalytic activity both alkaline acidic conditions. The prepared at pyrolysis temperature 900 °C (FePPyC-900) shows remarkably with onset potential 0.96 V (vs. RHE), similar Pt/C, whereas half-wave (E1/2) FePPyC-900 0.877 V, more positive than Pt/C same loading amount under Furthermore, also illustrates exceptionally conditions potentials 0.814 0.740 respectively, almost comparable those (0.817 0.709 V) state-of-the-art catalyst, rarely observed non-Pt-based catalysts. In addition, displays much better stability methanol tolerance four electron transfer pathway Such extraordinary FePPyC-samples can be attributed implementation extra stabilization addition conventional sample preparation steps subsequent leaching as well use highly conducting PPy single precursor nitrogen Fe.