Bacillus Subtilis-Derived Carbon Nanorods as Efficient ORR Electrocatalysts

Developing high-performance anion-exchange membrane fuel cells requires stable and highly active oxygen reduction (ORR) catalysts. To fabricate cheap and efficient porous carbon materials for ORR, heteroatom-doped carbon nanorods were synthesized by pyrolyzing Bacillus subtilis. The obtained carbon material maintained the uniformly distributed nanorods as original Bacillus subtilis and had inherent doped heteroatom. The obtained BS-2.0 had the highest specific surface area (209.04 m2 g-1) and the maximum ID/IG (1.0372). Its starting potential (0.93 V vs. RHE) and semi-wave potential (0.81 V vs. RHE) were close to 20% commercial Pt/C, and its ultimate current density was 3.98 mA cm-2@1600 rpm. Meanwhile, the stability of cycling potentiates polarization, and methanol tolerance of BS-2.0 were all greater than 20% commercial Pt/C. It was the inherent heteroatom, well-distributed nanorods, abundant pore distribution, and large surface area that contributed to its excellent electrochemical performance.