Research on phosphorus-doped nano-carbon as ORR catalysts in alkaline electrolyte

In order to reduce the cost of the catalysts for the anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC), phosphorus-doped XC-72 carbon catalyst was prepared by one-step carbonization using XC-72 carbon and triphenyl phosphorus (TPP) as carbon source and phosphorus source. The structure, morphology and electrochemical performance of the phosphorus-doped carbon catalyst were evaluated by physical characterization and electrochemical methods. When the proportion of triphenyl phosphorus and XC-72 is 1:5, and carbonization temperature is 800∘C, the obtained catalyst shows mesoporous structure formed by the accumulation of nanospheres and exhibits better electrochemical performance, including more positive onset potential (−0.12 V), the largest current density (−4.73mA/cm2@−0.5V), which is slightly equal to commercial 20%Pt/C (−4.8mA/cm2@−0.5V). Moreover, P is doped in carbon with C–P and O–P bond, which provide active sites to improve electrochemical performance. Low cost precursor and facile preparation of P-doped C i...