Nitrogen-doped porous carbons from bipyridine-based metal-organic frameworks: Electrocatalysis for oxygen reduction reaction and Pt-catalyst support for methanol electrooxidation

A novel pyridine-containing metal-organic framework (MOF), [Zn(bpdc)DMA]·DMF, was first constructed by solvothermal reaction of 2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylate (bpdc) with zinc nitrate, and then it was converted to nitrogen-doped porous carbons (NPCs) by direct carbonization. The as-prepared porous carbon (NPC800) was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), N2 sorption isotherms, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. NPC800 was modified onto glassy carbon electrode surface for investigating its electrochemical applications. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry were performed to evaluate the electrocatalytic activity of NPC800 for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline solution. NPC800 exhibited better ORR activity than commercial Pt/C. Pt-catalyst supported on NPCs (Pt/NPC800) was prepared by means of electrodeposition and characterized by SEM, Energy dispersive spectrometry and XRD. The electrocatalytic activity and stability of Pt/NPC800 for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) were estimated in acidic methanol solution by CV and chronoamperometric curves, respectively. Pt/NPC800 showed catalytic role for MOR, and also had better stability than Pt-catalyst supported on commercial Vulcan XC-72.