Multi-doped carbon derived from notoginseng as a high-performance catalyst for oxygen reduction

Developing highly active electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction to replace platinum is key to many advanced energy systems. In this work, a high-performance ORR catalyst is fabricated by using notoginseng as the precursor through a simple pyrolysis process. The catalyst exhibits high catalytic performance towards ORR comparable with that of commercial Pt/C catalyst, as well as outstanding stability and rather high four-electron path selectivity during the ORR procedures. It is suggested that the porous structure, self-doping of nitrogen, and the trace Fe impurities display the crucial role for the superior ORR activity and outstanding stability of PPG.