Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanosheets Decorated With Mn₂O₃ Nanoparticles for Excellent Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The purpose of this study is to develop an active, low cost, non-precious, stable, and high-performance catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this regard, Mn₂O₃-decorated nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets (Mn₂O₃/NC) are fabricated by a two-step strategy involving a hydrothermal method and a solid-state method. In the resultant structures, very fine Mn₂O₃ nanoparticles with an average size of about 5 nm are strongly attached to nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets. The role of the Mn₂O₃ nanoparticles is to provide active sites for ORR, while the presence of the nitrogen-doped carbon not only enhances the conductivity of the overall structure but is also helpful for overall stability. The Mn₂O₃/NC shows good onset potential (0.80 V@-1 mA/cm²), methanol crossover effect, and stability (90%).