A review of the development of nitrogen-modified carbon-based catalysts for oxygen reduction at USC

In this review, the development of non-precious nitrogen-modified carbon-based catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is described, mainly focusing on our research at the University of South Carolina (USC). Metal-free; metal-containing; and template-assisted metal-containing, nitrogen-modified carbon-based catalysts were developed in our group in the past few years. From the characterization and analysis of the synthesized nitrogen-modified carbon-based catalysts, we proposed our viewpoints on the nature of the ORR active sites and performance degradation mechanisms of this type of non-precious metal catalysts. Suggested research and development directions for non-precious nitrogen-modified carbon-based catalysts were also discussed.