Valorization of biomass furfural residue: Nitrogen-doped porous carbon towards electrocatalytic reaction

Authors

Suxia Ren, Changzhou University
Xia Qu, Changzhou University
Xiuqiang Zhang, Henan Academy of Sciences
Lili Dong, Changzhou University
Yantao Yang, Changzhou University
Danbee Lee, LSU Agricultural Center
Quang V. Cao, LSU Agricultural Center
Qinglin Wu, LSU Agricultural Center
Tingzhou Lei, Changzhou University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2023

Abstract

Catalysts made of non-noble metal for electrocatalytic reaction such as oxygen reduction with low cost, abundant resources, high stability, and excellent performance play a key role in promoting large-scale commercial application of fuel cells. In this work, industrial residue from biomass-based furfural production was selected and processed as carbon source to prepare a series of catalysts with excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic performance. The processed furfural residue (FR) consisted mainly cellulose fiber and lignin particles in micro/nanoscale with size (length, width, and diameter) well-described by a lognormal distribution. The FR material followed a two-stage thermal decomposition process. The prepared FR carbon (FRC) material demonstrated high oxygen reduction catalytic activity and stability in oxygen saturated electrolyte (0.1 mol/L KOH). Its catalytic activity reached more than 90% of that of commercial platinum-carbon catalysts, showing its high application potential in fuel cell cathode.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Industrial Crops and Products

Recommended Citation

Ren, S., Qu, X., Zhang, X., Dong, L., Yang, Y., Lee, D., Cao, Q., Wu, Q., & Lei, T. (2023). Valorization of biomass furfural residue: Nitrogen-doped porous carbon towards electrocatalytic reaction. Industrial Crops and Products, 193 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2023.116251