Self-Assembly of Nitrogen-doped Graphene-Wrapped Carbon Nanoparticles as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract N-doped graphene-wrapped carbon nanoparticles (NGCNPs) are in situ synthesized by a facile bottom-up method. The heat treatment boosts the conversion of N-containing species from the pyrollic N to graphitic N and pyridinic N, thus improving the electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The physical characterization including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectra, specific surface area and charge transfer resistance indicates that 600 °C is a pivotal temperature for remarkably improving the electrochemical activity for ORR in terms of onset potential, half-wave potential, electron transfer number and peroxide yields.