Fe-N-codoped Graphene Nanoplatelets Decorated Carbon Nanofibers as Highly Efficient Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

Since metal air batteries are promising candidate for efficient energy storage, the discovery of inexpensive and effective carbon based oxygen reduction catalysts have become one of the most notable topics. Recently, heteroatom-embedded carbons, such as nitorgen (N) and iron (Fe) doped carbon-based materials, have been considered as an alternative to Pt-based catalysts toward ORR. Herein, we designed carbon nanofiber (CNF) decorated with Fe-N-codoped graphene nanoplatelets (Fe@NGnP) via a simple method of electrospinning for a synthesis of CNF-type catalysts having high catalytic properties toward ORR. This new approach for the synthesis of Fe@NGnP-decorated CNF enables a synthetic control of morphology and Fe- and N- functionality for ORR catalysts. Benefiting from the unique morphological features, Fe@NGnP-decorated CNF possesses substantially improved activity towards ORR, a remarkable cell performance and high stability for hybrid lithium-air batteries.