Porous Fe-N-C Aerogels Derived from Metal-Organic Aerogels as Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Synthesis of Fe-N-C electrocatalysts by pyrolysis of porous materials has been shown to be a promising pathway for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Metal-organic aerogels (MOAs) with unique micropores and mesopores should provide an excellent precursor for Fe-N-C electrocatalysts. This work reports a Fe-N-C aerogel synthesized by pyrolysis of MOA. The Fe-N-C aerogel shows excellent ORR performance in alkaline condition with an onset potential of 0.96 V (vs. RHE) and a limiting current density of 5.02 mA cm^-2 . The markedly enhanced ORR performance for Fe-N-C aerogel can be assigned to the synergistic catalytic effect between Fe-N catalytic sites and graphitized carbon and excellent mass transport due to the unique hierarchically porous architecture. In addition, satisfactory durability and methanol tolerance were obtained, demonstrating a promising material for ORR.