Valorization of coffee bean waste: a coffee bean waste derived multifunctional catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen production and electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reactions

TitleValorization of coffee bean waste: a coffee bean waste derived multifunctional catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen production and electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reactions
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsUnni, SKM, George, L, Bhange, SN, R. Devi, N, Kurungot, S
JournalRSC Advances
Volume6
Issue85
Pagination82103-82111
Date PublishedAUG
Type of ArticleArticle
ISSN2046-2069
Abstract

Here, we report the valorization of coffee bean waste (CBW) by producing nitrogen doped porous carbon (p-Cof) having both photocatalytic and electrocatalytic properties using a silica templating method. Morphological investigation of p-Cof reveals the presence of assemblies of highly porous flat carbon blocks. p-Cof exhibits a high surface area (1213 m(2) g(-1)) and a wide range of micro-and mesopores with good electrical conductivity. Along with this, the surface of p-Cof displays the presence of graphitic and pyridone-type nitrogen coordinations, which help p-Cof to perform as a multifunctional catalyst as revealed from its catalytic activities towards photocatalytic hydrogen production (PHP) and electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reactions. p-Cof produces 334 mu mol h(-1) g(-1) of hydrogen from water under visible light and 575 mmol h(-1) g(-1) of hydrogen under solar light irradiation with excellent stability. Along with this, p-Cof also displays improved oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity in alkaline medium. A better onset potential (0.91 V vs. RHE) and half-wave potential (0.75 V vs. RHE) are displayed by p-Cof compared to the catalyst derived from the simple annealing of CBW without employing the silica template. Along with the better electrochemical activity, p-Cof shows excellent ORR kinetics and electrochemical stability compared to the current state-of-the-art Pt/C.

DOI10.1039/c6ra14907c
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)Foreign
Impact Factor (IF)3.289
Divison category: 
Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry
Physical and Materials Chemistry

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