The latest research breakthrough  from Prof. Wang’s laboratory has been recently published on JACS.

Authors:  Huile Jin, Huihui Huang, Yuhua He, Xin Feng, Shun Wang,* Liming Dai,* and Jichang Wang*

Title:  Graphene Quantum Dots Supported by Graphene Nanoribbons with Ultrahigh Electrocatalytic Performance for Oxygen Reduction
J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2015, 137 (24), pp 7588-7591

Publication Date (Web): June 8, 2015 (Communication)

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b03799

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jacs.5b03799

Abstract: A new class of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts based on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) supported by graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) has been developed through a one-step simultaneous reduction reaction, leading to ultrahigh performance for O reduction with an excellent electrocatalytic activity (higher limiting current density and lower overpotential than those of platinum) and high selectivity and stability in alkaline media comparable to the best C-based ORR catalystsreported so far. Electron microscopy revealed numerous surface/edge defects on the GQD/GNR surfaces and at their interface to act as the active sites. This, coupled with e?cient charge transfer between the intimately contacted GQDs and GNRs, rationalized the observed ultrahighelectrocatalytic performance for the resultant GQD-GNR hybrids. Thus, this study opens a new direction for developing low-cost, highly e?cient, C-based ORR electrocatalysts.