Dual-nitrogen-source strategy for N-doped graphitic layer-wrapped metal carbide toward efficient oxygen reduction reaction

Fe3C wrapped by N-doped hierarchically porous graphitic layers (NPGL) using g-C3N4 and dopamine as dual-nitrogen-source exhibits superior ORR performances in alkaline medium. [Display omitted] Rational design of low-cost and high-efficient non-precious-metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has drawn tremendous attention. Herein, we report a facile template-sacrificing strategy to synthesize N-doped hierarchically porous graphitic layers wrapped iron carbide (Fe3C@NPGL). Cost-effective graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) combined with dopamine were used as dual-nitrogen-source which provide more active sites for ORR. By virtue of abundant Fe-N coordination sites and unique porous structure of NPGL, the as-fabricated Fe3C@NPGL exhibits excellent ORR performances with a half-wave potential of 0.87 V, a limited current density of 6.3 mA cm−2, and a low peroxide yield (