N-doped carbon nanofibers as catalysts for oxygen-reduction reactions are synthesized using electrospinning and carbonization. Their morphologies, structures, chemical bonding states, and electrochemical performance are characterized. The optimized N-doped carbon nanofibers exhibit graphitization of carbon nanofibers and an increased nitrogen doping as well as a uniform network structure. In particular, the optimized N-doped carbon nanofibers show outstanding catalytic activity for oxygen-reduction reactions, such as a half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.43 V, kinetic limiting current density of 6.2 mA cm-2, electron reduction pathways (n = 3.1), and excellent long-term stability after 2000 cycles, resulting in a lower E1/2 potential degradation of 13 mV. The improvement in the electrochemical performance results from the synergistic effect of the graphitization of carbon nanofibers and the increased amount of nitrogen doping.

• 안건형(서울과학기술대학교 의공학 바이오소재 융합 협동과정 신소재공학 프로그램) | Geon-Hyoung An
• 이은환(서울과학기술대학교 신소재공학과) | Eun-Hwan Lee
• 안효진(서울과학기술대학교 의공학 바이오소재 융합 협동과정 신소재공학 프로그램 서울과학기술대학교 신소재공학과) | Hyo-Jin Ahn Corresponding Author