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Fe-N-C catalysts were prepared through metal-assisted polymerization method. Effects of carbon treatment, Fe loading, nitrogen source, and calcination temperature on the catalytic performance of the Fe-N-C for HO electroreduction were measured by voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The Fe-N-C catalyst shows optimal performance when prepared with pretreated active carbon, 0.2 wt.% Fe, paranitroaniline (4-NA) and one-time calcination. The Fe-N-C catalyst displayed good performance and stability for electroreduction of HO in alkaline solution. An Al-HO semi-fuel cell was set up with Fe-N-C catalyst as cathode and Al as anode. The cell exhibits an open-circuit voltage of 1.3 V and its power density reached 51.4 mW cm at 65 mA cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites of CoO/graphene nanosheets are prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Their electrochemical behavior as anode materials of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries is investigated by galvanostatic discharge/charge measurements and cyclic voltammetry. The composite is composed of CoO nanorods (around 20-40 nm in diameter) and nanoparticles (around 10 nm in diameter) distributed within the graphene matrix. The specific capacity of the composite is higher than both CoO and graphene nanosheets. The cycling stability of CoO is obviously enhanced by compositing with graphene. After 100 cycles, the discharge and charge capacity of the composite is 1,005 and 975 mAh g, respectively, and the irreversible capacity loss is less than 3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]