Searching for metal-free catalysts for the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) has been a key challenge in the electrosynthesis of fuels for CO2 utilization. In this work, we investigated the potential of N-doped graphene as the electrocatalyst of CO2RR by means of comprehensive density functional theory (DFT) computations. The computations revealed that N-doping can modify the electronic...

In this work, we present a synthesis approach for nitrogen-doped graphene-sheet-like nanostructures via the graphitization of a heteroatom polymer, in particular, polyaniline, under the catalysis of a cobalt species using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as a supporting template. The graphene-rich composite catalysts (Co-N-MWNTs) exhibit substantially improved activity for oxygen reduction ...

Catalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions are at the heart of key renewable-energy technologies including fuel cells and water splitting. Despite tremendous efforts, developing oxygen electrode catalysts with high activity at low cost remains a great challenge. Here, we report a hybrid material consisting of Co₃O₄ nanocrystals grown on reduced graphene oxide as a high-performance b...

Novel N, S co-doped graphene (NSG) was prepared by annealing graphene oxide with thiourea as the single N and S precursor. The NSG electrodes, as efficient metal-free electrocatalysts, show a direct four-electron reaction pathway, high onset potential, high current density and high stability for the oxygen reduction reaction.

We report ab initio calculations of the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of a graphene monolayer substitutionally doped with Co Cosub atoms. These calculations are done within density-functional theory using the generalized gradient approximation. We focus in Co because among traditional ferromagnetic elements Fe, Co, and Ni , only Cosub atoms induce spin polarization in graphene...

Three-dimensional graphene networks (3DGNs) doped with a mono-heteroatom of N or B, or dual-heteroatoms of N and B were fabricated, which exhibit excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance. Importantly, the onset potential and current density of N and B co-doped 3DGNs are comparable to those of the commercial Pt (30%)/C catalyst.

Boron and nitrogen doped graphenes are highly promising materials for electrochemical applications, such as energy storage, generation and sensing. The doped graphenes can be prepared by a broad variety of chemical approaches. The substitution of a carbon atom should induce n-type behavior in the case of nitrogen and p-type behavior in the case of boron-doped graphene; however, the real situati...

Heteroatom doping can endow graphene with various new or improved electromagnetic, physicochemical, optical, and structural properties. This greatly extends the arsenal of graphene materials and their potential for a spectrum of applications. Considering the latest developments, we comprehensively and critically discuss the syntheses, properties and emerging applications of the growing family o...

SnO2/nitrogen-doped graphene nanohybrids have been synthesized by an in situ hydrothermal method, during which the formation of SnO2 nanocrystals and nitrogen doping of graphene occur simultaneously. The as-prepared SnO2/nitrogen-doped graphene nanohybrids exhibit enhanced electrochemical performance for sodium-ion batteries compared to SnO2/graphene nanocomposites. A systematic comparison betw...

development of efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (orr) is one of the most important issues for optimizing the performance of fuel cells and metal-air batteries. the introduction of nitrogen into carbon nanostructures has created new pathways for the development of non-precious electrocatalysts in fuel cells. in this work, nitrogen-doped graphene (ng) was synthesized by a ...