Multi-heteroatom-doped hollow carbon tubes as robust electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen and hydrogen evolution reaction

Developing non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), evolution (OER), and hydrogen (HER) is highly desirable, while still facing challenges. Herein, a self-sacrifice template engineering strategy that feasible carbonization of the copolymer melamine-trithiocyanurim wrapped by polydopamine was developed to fabricate N, S hollow co-doped carbon tube (NSCHCT) based trifunctional electrocatalyst. Owing hierarchical structure, including porous obtained catalyst exhibits rich active sites favourable mass transfer advantage, boosting kinetic catalytic process. Moreover, multiple heteroatoms-doping provides various sites. Notably, thiophene sulfur combining with pyridinic N(p-N/S) combined graphitic N (g-N/S) shows lowest activation energy barrier OER/ORR HER, respectively. As result, NSCHCT assembled Zinc-air battery excellent performance power density 109 mW cm?2 high open-circuit voltage 1.44 V, comparable Pt/C + RuO2 system.