ZIF derived mesoporous carbon frameworks with numerous edges and heteroatom-doped sites to anchor nano-Pt electrocatalyst

Abstract We report the use of nitrogen-doped three-dimensional carbon frameworks (N-MCF) to promote the catalytic performance of nano-sized Pt electrocatalyst for the catalysis of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The N-MCF, obtained by pyrolysis of zeolitic imidazolate framework, provides abundant edges, defects, and heteroatom-doped sites to anchor Pt nanoparticles, leading to strong Pt-support interaction and excellent particle dispersion within its three-dimensional mass transport channels. Electrochemical results show only 8 mV degradation in the half-wave potential after accelerated durability test for the N-MCF supported Pt catalysts. Meanwhile, the mass activity and specific activity of Pt/N-MFC could reach 246 mA mg−1Pt and 0.276 mA cm−2 at 0.90 VRHE, which is better than that of commercial Pt/C. Moreover, the high Pt utilization of Pt/N-MFC (186 mg Pt kW−1) could reach 1.9 times than that of fuel cell fabricated with commercial Pt/C cathode.