Abstract

Renewable lignin used for synthesizing materials has been proven to be highly potential in specific electrochemistry. Here, we report a simple method to synthesize nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon nanosheets by using bagasse lignin, denoted as lignin-derived carbon (LC). By adjusting the ratio of nitrogen source and annealing temperature, we obtained the ultrathin graphitic lignin carbon (LC-4-1000) with abundant wrinkles with high surface area of 1208 m2g−1 and large pore volume of 1.40 cm3g−1. In alkaline medium, LC-4-1000 has more positive half-wave potential and nearly current density compared to commercial Pt/C for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). More importantly, LC-4-1000 also exhibits comparable activity and superior stability for ORR in acid medium due to its high graphitic N ratio and a direct four electron pathway for ORR. This study develops a cost-effective and highly efficient method to prepare biocarbon catalyst for ORR in fuel cells.

Cite:

Yixing Shen, FengPeng,* Yonghai Cao, Jianliang Zuo, Hongjuan Wang, HaoYu.Preparation of nitrogen and sulfur co-doped ultrathin graphitic carbon via annealing bagasse lignin as potential electrocatalyst towards oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline and acid media.2019,Journal of Chemistry Energy,34,33-42.DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jechem.2018.09.021