The effect of iodine functionalized nitrogen doped porous carbon support on the oxygen reduction performance of PtCo catalyst

In order to balance the defects and graphitization degree of porous nitrogen doped carbon supports, improve the corrosion resistance of carbon supports and the binding ability between carbon supports and active metal components, iodine was added during the carbonization process of polyaniline to prepare nitrogen doped carbon supports (NC-I) with higher graphitization degree. The presence of iodine enhances the graphitization degree of nitrogen doped carbon materials, thereby improving the conductivity and corrosion resistance of the support. At the same time, the content of graphite nitrogen in nitrogen doped carbon support is increased (2.07 at%), which enhance the oxygen reduction activity of the catalyst (PtCo/NC-I). Among them, the MA (0.48 A mg Pt − 1 ) and specific activity (0.70 mA cm Pt − 2 ) of PtCo/NC-1I have been greatly improved. After stability testing, the MA loss of PtCo/NC-1I was only 12%, much lower than that of PtCo/NC (30%) and JM Pt/C (36%). The NC-1I support with high graphitization degree enhances the structural stability of PtCo/NC-1I catalyst by enhancing the interaction between the support and PtCo NPs and improving the corrosion resistance of the support. This provides a new approach to enhance the stability and lifespan of ORR catalysts for PEMFC.