Regulating carbon work function to boost electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract Electronic regulation of carbon is essential for developing non-platinum electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs). In this work, we used Cs to further regulate the electronic structure of nitrogen-doped (N-doped) carbon. The Cs atoms coordinated with the nitrogen atom in the N-doped carbon for injecting electrons into the carbon conjugate structure and reducing the work function of the carbon network. The low-work-function surface improved electron donation, facilitated O2 dissociation, and enhanced the adsorption of an OOH* intermediate. Thus, electrocatalytic performance for the ORR was improved. The material shows potential as an ORR electrocatalyst comparable with Pt/C.