Stable and Efficient Nitrogen-Containing Carbon-Based Electrocatalysts for Reactions in Energy-Conversion Systems

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Electrocatalysts are essential for energy conversion devices like fuel cells and electrolyzers.
• Nitrogen-containing carbon (N-C) materials show significant potential for catalyzing key reactions.
• A systematic review of engineering strategies for active and stable N-C electrocatalysts is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review and compare recent N-C-based electrocatalysts for activity and stability.
• To discuss the relationship between electrocatalytic reactions, material modification elements, and N-C performance.
• To summarize synthesis methods and present strategies for enhancing the stability of N-C electrocatalysts.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and comparative analysis of reported N-C electrocatalysts.
• Discussion of elemental modification strategies for N-C materials.
• Summarization of synthesis techniques and stability enhancement approaches.

Main Results:

• N-C materials demonstrate promise for oxygen reduction, hydrogen evolution, and oxygen evolution reactions.
• Data tables provide crucial parameters for electrocatalytic activity and stability.
• The review highlights relationships between reaction types, elemental modification, and N-C performance.

Conclusions:

• Constructing metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N_x) moieties is identified as the most promising engineering strategy.
• This approach is crucial for achieving stable and highly active N-C-based electrocatalysts.
• Further research into M-N_x moieties will advance electrocatalyst development for energy applications.