In the present work, nitrogen‐doped carbon spheres were synthesized through a simple hydro‐thermal treatment using glucose and melamine as inexpensive carbon and nitrogen sources, re‐spectively. The ratio of melamine to glucose and annealing temperature were optimized. The final optimal sample exhibited a catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction（ORR） that was supe‐rior than that of commercial 20%Pt/C in 0.1 mol/L KOH. It revealed an onset potential of –22.6 mV and a half‐wave potential of –133.6 mV （vs. Ag/AgCl）, which are 7.2 and 5.9 mV more positive than those of the 20%Pt/C catalyst, respectively, as well as a limiting current density of 4.6 mA/cm^2, which is 0.2 mA/cm^2 higher than that of the 20%Pt/C catalyst. The catalyst also exhibited higher stability and superior durability against methanol than 20%Pt/C. Moreover, ORRs on this catalyst proceed through a more effective 4 e^– path. The above mentioned superiority of the as‐prepared catalyst makes it promising for fuel cells.
Jinhui TongWenyan LiLili BoWenhui WangYuliang LiTao LiQi ZhangHaiyan Fan
