Electrocatalytic Activity of BN Codoped Graphene Oxide Derived from Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

The formation of boron and nitrogen (BN) codoped graphene oxide (GO) from carbon dioxide (CO2) was accomplished using ammonia borane (NH3BH3) as a reducing agent. This graphene-based material was produced in two sequential processes (carbon fixation and pyrolysis) under moderate reaction conditions. One important potential application for the graphene-based material is as catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cell electrodes. This utilization is supported by the fact that B and N are incorporated into the carbon lattice and the BN insertion improves the electro-catalytic activity for ORR. Electrochemical measurements of BN codoped GO catalysts confirmed the activity for oxygen reduction reaction. The origin of the electro-catalytic activity was elucidated by identifying the insertion of B and N atoms as BCO2 and pyrrolic N in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.