Metal-Carbon Composites Based on Carbonized Melamine-Formaldehyde Polymer and Their Electrocatalytic Properties.

Metal/N-doped carbon (M/C–N) composites were prepared using the melamine-formaldehyde polymer (MFP) as a source of C–N carbon and a metal salt (Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+) by two synthesis methods: (1) introduction of a metal salt by in situ polycondensation of melamine with formaldehyde followed by thermal treatment at 400, 500, and 700°C and (2) chemical reduction of metal cations in the presence of carbonized MFP. The phase compositions and morphology of the resulting composites were analyzed by X-ray diffractometry and electron microscopy. Their electrocatalytic properties were studied in the electrohydrogenation of acetophenone. The Cu/C–N composites prepared by method 2 showed higher electrocatalytic activity due to the additional reduction of copper cations in the electrochemical system. The synthesis of composites by method 1 and their thermal treatment led to the formation of metal oxides and their reduced forms, lying mostly inside the carbon matrix of the carbonized MFP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]