Facile Route to Synthesize Cu, S, N-Doped Carbon as Highly Efficient and Durable Electrocatalyst Towards Oxygen Reduction Reaction

This paper reports the generation of a type of carbon-based catalyst co-doped by Cu, S and N as efficient ORR catalysts in alkaline media. The electrocatalyst performs superior activity for ORR with onset and a half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.945 V and 0.847 V, respectively, in 0.1 M KOH, comparable with Pt/C (0.955 V and 0.88 V). Especially, a current density of 5.55 mA cm−2 is achieved, rivaling that of the commercial Pt/C (5.21 mA cm−2). The high ORR activity is attributed to the positive effects of the different doping elements that introduce amounts of active sites, including defects, and efficient bonding between Cu, S, N and C atoms that contribute to ORR. Moreover, it shows great durability and strong methanol tolerance.