Highly ordered macroporous dual-element-doped carbon from metal–organic frameworks for catalyzing oxygen reduction

Multiple heteroatom-doped carbons with 3D ordered macro/meso-microporous structures have not been realized by simple carbonization of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Herein, ordered macroporous phosphorus- and nitrogen-doped carbon (M-PNC) is prepared successfully by carbonization of double-solvent-induced MOF/polystyrene sphere (PS) precursors accompanied with spontaneous removal of the PS template, followed by post-doping. M-PNC shows a high specific surface area of 837 m(2) g(−1), nitrogen doping of 3.17 at%, and phosphorus doping of 1.12 at%. Thanks to the hierarchical structure, high specific surface area, and multiple heteroatom-doping, M-PNC exhibits unusual catalytic activity as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction. Computational calculation reveals that the P[double bond, length as m-dash]O group helps stabilize the adsorption of intermediates, and the position of P[double bond, length as m-dash]O relative to graphitic N significantly improves the activity of the adjacent carbons for electrocatalysis.