One-step production of sulfur and nitrogen Co-doped graphitic carbon for oxygen reduction: Activation effect of oxidized sulfur and nitrogen

Oxidized sulfur and nitrogen co-doped graphitic carbon (SN-G) was one-step synthesized simply by annealing a solid mixture of D-glucosamine hydrochloride, melamine, and trithiocyanuric acid. By tailoring the additive dosage and the pyrolysis temperature, correlations between the structure, composition, and electrochemical performance of SN-G were systematically elucidated. To our excitement, the SN₃-G sample pyrolyzed at 900 °C with a dominant oxidized sulfur content exhibited striking electrocatalytic activity in alkaline medium, which was free from the crossover effect, and its long-term durability was superior to that of commercial Pt/C (20 wt %). Furthermore, oxidized sulfur that was reported to be chemically inactive for the ORR was proven to be active, which was supported by both experimental results and density functional theory calculations. Doping scandal: Oxidized sulfur and nitrogen co-doped graphitic carbon is one-step synthesized. This functional carbon material is an excellent metal-free electrode with conspicuous electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline electrolyte, and it shows stronger immunity to the crossover effect and superior long-term durability than commercial Pt/C (20 wt %).