Novel Co-N-C Type Non-Precious Metal Catalyst Fabricated from Fresh Kelp

A novel Co-N-C type non-precious metal oxygen reduction catalyst was developed with the framework of activated carbon made from fresh kelp. First, the vacuum freeze-dried kelp was broken to pieces; second, a mixture of sieved kelp powder and some KOH was activated at high temperature; and finally, the Co-N-C type nonprecious metal catalysts was synthesized via high temperature calcination of the activated carbon co-doped with cobalt and nitrogen. The newly-developed catalyst was characterized with X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Autolab electrochemical workstation.The results show that the new catalyst displayed good oxygen reduction reaction activity, strong methanol-resistance and high stability. Moreover, activated at 800℃ for 60 min, its specific surface area, pore volume and yield were found to be 2071. 72 m²/g, 1. 20 cm³/g and 25. 06%, respectively. We suggest that new highly porous catalyst be of some technological interest in energy industry.