Nitrogen doped Crumpled Graphene Aerogel for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Jun Chen（陈俊）
ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, Australian Institute of Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia
2014年10月30号（周四）下午15:00
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先进能源材料化学教育部重点实验室

Abstract: Recent advances in synthesis of heteroatoms doped graphene allow using carbon instead of the high-cost platinum (Pt) as efficient and poison-resistant electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), 1which is recognized as a kinetically limited step in fuel cells and metal-air batteries due to its sluggish reaction mechanism.2 However, the chemically derived graphene sheets are vulnerable to stack and aggregate together during the reduction or drying processes due to the strong van der waals and the hydrogen bonding between water molecular and graphene sheets. 3This restack would further hinder the electron and ion transfer pathway and decrease the active sites and surface area thereby compromising the overall ORR performance of the electroctalysts. Herein, we demonstrate using graphene hydrogel as a substrate to produce nitrogen doped 3D macroporous graphene aerogel with crumpled feature (Figure 1) via a modified vapor phase polymerization (VPP) method. This crumpled feature could well be maintained even after sonication which provides this electrocatalysts with relative higher surface area and more active sites when preparing oxygen reduction electrodes and membrane electrodes for practical devices, i.e., fuel cell and metal-air batteries. Electrochemical tests revealed the synthesized nitrogen doped crumpled graphene aerogel has comparable electrocatalytic oxygen reduction ability with the commercial Pt/C catalysts while with better methanol tolerant abilities and longer term durability.

Bibliography of Jun Chen
Associate Professor Jun Chen obtained his Bachelor Degree from Zhejiang University of Technology (1995), China. In 2003, Chen was awarded PhD degree from the School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, Australia. Then, Chen did his post-doc at Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, University of Wollongong. In 2008, Dr Chen was promoted to senior level and offered a tenured position by UOW as a senior research fellow. In January 2013, Dr Chen was promoted to Associate Professor. In addition, A/P Chen was elected as Academic Senate member of University of Wollongong Council for the term of 2014-2016.
A/P Chen has extensive research experience in materials science,electrochemistry,sustainable energy,and green technology. His subtopics include Synthesis of Nanostructure Materials, Lithium Rechargeable Battery and Supercapacitor, Li-Air battery, Electrode of PEMFC, Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Surface, and Electrochemistry Bio-interfaces. Chen’s field of research is focused on “Design and Development of nanostructured architectures and/or active materials for use in a variety of applications ranging from electrochemical performance to energy devices”, with a particular focus on elucidating the intimate interactions among different phases - solid, liquid and gas.
A/P Chen has also been very pro-active in broadening his research experience and skills by developing external collaborative links with leading overseas and Australian researchers, including researchers in the USA, China, Denmark, UK, Ireland, Germany, Singapore, and Thailand. Chen was awarded international collaboration fellowship twice from the Australian Academy of Science - for Young Australian Researchers, in both 2003/2004 and 2007/2008.
As a Chief Investigator, A/P Chen has attracted competitive research grants and industry R&D funding over AU$3 million. Since 2002, Chen has published over 120 peer-reviewed publications in international journals with an h-index of 26, including Advanced Materials, Energy and Environmental Science, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., ChemSusChem, Chem. Commun., Chemistry of Materials, ACS NANO, JACS, and Journal of Materials Chemistry. In addition, Chen has been co-author of 6 book chapters and co-inventor on 7 international patents. Based on his professional background, Chen currently appointed as an Editorial Board Member of Scientific Reports.