High performance electro-catalyst with inherent nitrogen and sulfur from low rank coal for oxygen reduction reaction

Low cost and stable catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a challenge for fuel cells and lithium-O ₂ batteries. In this paper, the activated carbon with inherent nitrogen and sulfur from lignite was prepared via ambient temperature activation and high temperature carbonization process. The results show the surface areas of as prepared activated carbon was about 933 m ² /g. And the nitrogen and sulfur content was 1.7% and 1.8%, respectively, which can facilitate the ORR performances of catalyst. The onset potential was -0.2 V (vs. Hg ₂ Cl ₂ ) in 0.1 M KOH solution. The Chronoamperometric (CA) results show the catalyst has a very high stability. The electron transfer number of ORR is 3.81. High nitrogen and sulfur content activated carbon from coal was a promising material for ORR.