Understanding the self-templating of hierarchically porous carbon electrocatalysts using Group 2 coordination polymers†

Eliyahu M. Farber, Kasinath Ojha, Tomer Y. Burshtein, Lihi Hasson, David Eisenberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Self-templating of hierarchical porosity in carbon materials can be realized by the pyrolysis of well-designed metal–organic precursors. While this strategy is elegant and scalable, detailed mechanistic understanding of the self-templating process is lacking. We now report a systematic investigation of the microstructural evolution in porous carbons, including hierarchically micro-/meso-/macroporous materials with variable mesopore size. We focus on a homologous series of well-defined metal–organic coordination polymers, combining the highly abundant Group 2 ions (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+) with a common ligand. To understand the role of the metal ion in directing the morphology of the ultimate N-doped carbons, we performed a detailed investigation using electron microscopy (HRSEM, HRTEM, EDS), N2 porosimetry, XRD, XPS and Raman spectroscopy. The rich morphological variations in the carbons determine their activity as metal-free electrocatalysts towards the oxygen reduction reaction. In particular, the reaction selectivity (2e- vs. 4e- pathways) is directed by competition between kinetics and mass transfer, due to confinement in mesopores.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)20-33
Number of pages14
JournalMaterials Advances
Volume1
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2020

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Chemistry (miscellaneous)
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (miscellaneous)
  • Biochemistry
  • General Materials Science

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