Enhancement of the electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction of boron-doped reduced graphene oxide via ultrasonic treatment

Commercial polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells have relied on scares Platinum to catalyse the kinetically sluggish oxygen reduction reaction occurring at their anodes. Over last decade organic materials, frequently based graphitic structures been demonstrated as promising alternative electrocatalysts noble metals. Researchers typically utilize ultrasonic treatment part of synthesis procedure achieve homogeneous dispersion carbon prior to. Herein we investigate implications structural and compositional changes induced by ultrasonication boron-doped reduced graphene oxide for reaction. It is shown that pre-treatment boron doping via hydrothermal process step leads increase both substitutional B electrocatalytic surface area, with associated average pore size diameter, leading a significant improvement in performance, respect non-ultrasonicated material. proposed higher degree result formation additional epoxy functionalities planes, which act site boric acid. • Ultrasonication enables into Graphene oxide. Longer times boron. ORR activity.