▎ 摘　　要

In this study, a non-precious metal-based electrocatalyst consisting of nitrogen-doped iron-coated reduced graphene oxide (FeNG) on carbon xerogel towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media is reported. Herein, we describe a facile three-step synthesis route towards enhanced ORR activity. The effect of pyrolysis temperature and the resulting structural variations of the designated catalyst towards ORR were investigated. The as-synthesized carbon xerogel samples were reduced (rC(X)) and then pyrolyzed at different temperatures, viz., 700, 900, and 1100 degrees C, followed by the incorporation of FeNG, and their performance towards ORR was studied. The resultant rC(X)FeNG (reduced carbon xerogel-iron-nitrogen-doped graphene) catalyst pyrolyzed at an optimum temperature of 1100 degrees C (rC(X)FeNG-1100) showed enhanced electrocatalytic performance towards ORR and exhibited an onset potential of 0.84 V vs. RHE (reversible hydrogen electrode). Besides, it is remarkable that rC(X)FeNG-1100 delivers a limiting current density of 5.55 mA cm(-2), which is fairly equivalent to that of the commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst. It is noteworthy that the rC(X)FeNG-1100 electrocatalyst showed a four-electron transfer pathway for ORR and showed better stability and improved durability outperforming the commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst. The present study opens up a promising approach for the design and fabrication of cost-effective non-precious ORR electrocatalysts for alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells.