Nitrogen-Incorporated Amorphous Carbon Catalysts with Higher Reactivity toward Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Amorphous carbon (a-C) based catalysts having higher oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and higher stability for ORR were realized by inserting nitrogen atoms in the valleys of zigzag edges of sp2 cluster surface in a-C. ORR activity could be controlled by varying sizes and volume density of sp2 cluster. The maximum number of electrons of 2.82 for ORR was achieved. The N-doped a-C catalysts have the activity of 4-electron O2 reduction reaction. The catalytic activity was stable in long term (150 times) measurements. Consequently, the N-doped a-C catalysts possesss ly, imes) measurements higher stability for ORR.