Enhanced Catalytic Activity of Carbon Alloy Catalysts Codoped with Boron and Nitrogen for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Carbon alloy catalysts (CACs) have been attracting a growing interest as potential Pt-free electrode catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. In this computational study, we inspect possible oxygen adsorption and reduction processes on various models for exposed edges of these catalysts via first-principles molecular dynamics. Our simulations suggest that the codoping of boron and nitrogen in CACs is a promising route to the further enhancement of their catalytic activity with respect to both stability and reactivity.