Nitrogen-enriched carbon powder prepared by ball-milling of graphene oxide with melamine: an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

A simple strategy for the production of an efficient platinumfree electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction was demonstrated. Nitrogen-enriched carbon powder was synthesized by a solid-phase method consisting of grinding graphene oxide and melamine in a planetary ball mill without any solvents and high-temperature processing. Based on XPS and IR spectroscopy data, it was assumed that the high electrocatalytic activity of the obtained material is due to the presence of nitrogen atoms and quinone groups on its surface.