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| Metal-free N-doped carbon (NC) materials have been considered as one of the most promising catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media owing to their high ORR catalytic activity, long-term stability, and excellent methanol tolerance. So far only a few examples of such catalysts have been prepared from triazine-based polymeric networks. Herein, we report the synthesis of such NC catalyst by directly pyrolyzing a nitrogen-rich, triazine-based polypyrrole network (TPN). The TPN is fabricated by oxidative polymerization of 2,4,6-tripyrrol-1,3,5-triazine monomer in the presence of TfOH using benzoyl peroxide as the oxidizing agent. Compared to commercial Pt/C catalyst, the as-prepared NC-900 (pyrolyzed at 900 C) catalyst exhibits superior ORR activity in alkaline electrolytes with a high onset potential of 0.972 V (vs. RHE), a large kinetic-limiting current density of 15.83 mA cm?2, and excellent methanol tolerance and durability. The results obtained are significant for the development of novel NC catalysts for alkaline fuel cells. |
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| Keywords:Oxygen reduction reaction, Polymeric networks, Metal-free, Electrocatalysts, Fuel cells |
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