Facile synthesis of nitrogen-doped graphene containing azobenzene moieties for the oxygen reduction reaction

Nitrogen-doped graphene containing azobenzene (NG-AB) was synthesized via a simple wet, acid-catalyzed dehydration reaction between graphene oxide (GO) and 4-aminoazobenzene. The structural features of NG-AB were confirmed by elemental analysis, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Owing to the efficient incorporation of nitrogen and the restoration of the graphitic structure that occurred during the reaction, NG-AB shows significant electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with excellent selectivity, durability, and a high tolerance to methanol crossover.