Highly active Fe-N sites that effectively improve the performance of non-precious metal electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) are desirable. Herein, we propose a strategy for introducing a carbon template into a melamine/Fe-salt mixture to inductively generate highly active Fe-N sites for ORR. Using Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, we studied the structural composition of the Fe and N co-doped carbon catalysts. Interestingly, the results showed that this system not only converted inactive Fe and Fe-carbides into active Fe-N and other Fe-nitrides, but also improved their intrinsic activities.

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1872206718631079