Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanosheets Decorated With Mn(2)O(3) Nanoparticles for Excellent Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The purpose of this study is to develop an active, low cost, non-precious, stable, and high-performance catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this regard, Mn(2)O(3)-decorated nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets (Mn(2)O(3)/NC) are fabricated by a two-step strategy involving a hydrothermal method and a solid-state method. In the resultant structures, very fine Mn(2)O(3) nanoparticles with an average size of about 5 nm are strongly attached to nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets. The role of the Mn(2)O(3) nanoparticles is to provide active sites for ORR, while the presence of the nitrogen-doped carbon not only enhances the conductivity of the overall structure but is also helpful for overall stability. The Mn(2)O(3)/NC shows good onset potential (0.80 V@−1 mA/cm(2)), methanol crossover effect, and stability (90%).