Synthesis of boron doped graphene for oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells

Boron atoms, with strong electron-withdrawing capability, are doped into graphene frameworks forming boron doped graphene (BG) via a catalyst-free thermal annealing approach in the presence of boron oxide. Atomic force microscopic (AFM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) characterizations reveal that the as-prepared BG has a flake-like structure with an average thickness of ca. 2 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis demonstrates that boron atoms can be successfully doped into graphene structures with the atomic percentage of 3.2%. Due to its particular structure and unique electronic properties, the resultant BG exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China
• GO
  Government of Jiangsu Province
• SF
  Science Fund for Creative Research Groups