An in situ source-template-interface reaction route to 3D nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbon as oxygen reduction electrocatalyst

An in situ source-template-interface reaction route is used for the nanocasting synthesis of 3D N-doped hierarchical carbon monolith (NHPCM) composed of interconnected, branched mesoporous rods, with hierarchical porous silicon oxynitride monolith playing both roles of inorganic solid N source and template. The outstanding structural properties of NHPCM render it an excellent metal-free electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction.