B, N Co-Doped ordered mesoporous carbon with enhanced electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction

Metal-free B, N co-doped ordered mesoporous carbon (B, N-OMC) was synthesized via a facile self-assembly method followed by a carbonization process, resulting in excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The half-wave potential of the as-prepared B, N-OMC shifted negatively by only 60 mV compared to that of commercial Pt/C (20 wt%). The outstanding electrochemical performance of B, N-OMC for the ORR can be attributed to the highly active sites induced by B and N co-doping. Moreover, the ordered mesoporous structure of the B, N-OMC improved the mass transport of the electrolyte and oxygen and the efficient utilization of active sites during the electrocatalytic process. This study demonstrates the facile and scalable production of a cost-effective dual element-doped carbon electrocatalyst for the ORR.