(Fe,Co)@nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon nanocubes derived from polydopamine-encapsulated metal-organic frameworks as a highly stable and selective non-precious oxygen reduction electrocatalyst

FexO/FeNC modified activated carbon packing media for biological slow filtration to enhance the removal of dissolved organic matter in reused water

The biological slow filtration reactor (BSFR) process has been found to be moderately effective for the removal of refractory dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the treatment of reused water. In this study, bench scale experiments were conducted using a mixture of landscape water and concentrated landfill leachate as feed water, to compare a novel iron oxide (Fe_xO)/FeNC modified activated carbon (Fe_xO@AC) packed BSFR, with a conventional activated carbon packed BSFR (AC-BSFR), operated in parallel. The results showed that the Fe_xO@AC packed BSFR had a refractory DOM removal rate of 90%, operated at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 10 h at room temperature for 30 weeks, while under the same conditions the removal by the AC-BSFR was only 70%. As a consequence, the treatment by the Fe_xO@AC packed BSFR substantially reduced the formation potential of trihalomethanes, and to a less extent, haloacetic acids. The modification of Fe_xO/FeNC media raised the conductivity and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) efficiency of the AC media to accelerate the anaerobic digestion by consuming the electrons that are generated by anaerobic digestion itself, which lead to the marked improvement in refractory DOM removal.

Applications of metal-organic framework-based bioelectrodes

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of porous nanomaterials that have opened new research possibilities. The inherent characteristics of MOFs such as their large surface area, high porosity, tunable pore size, stability, facile synthetic strategies and catalytic nature have made them promising materials for enormous number of applications, including fuel storage, energy conversion, separation, and gas purification. Recently, their high potential as ideal platforms for biomolecule immobilization has been discovered. MOF-enzyme-based materials have attracted the attention of researchers from all fields with the expansion of MOFs development, paving way for the fabrication of bioelectrochemical devices with unique characteristics. MOFs-based bioelectrodes have steadily gained interest, wherein MOFs can be utilized for improved biomolecule immobilization, electrolyte membranes, fuel storage, biocatalysis and biosensing. Likewise, applications of MOFs in point-of-care diagnostics, including self-powered biosensors, are exponentially increasing. This paper reviews the current trends in the fabrication of MOFs-based bioelectrodes with emphasis on their applications in biosensors and biofuel cells.

Metal-organic frameworks as a good platform for the fabrication of multi-metal nanomaterials: design strategies, electrocatalytic applications and prospective

MOF-derived multi-metal nanomaterials are attracting numerous attentions in widespread applications such as catalysis, sensors, energy storage and conversion, and environmental remediation. Compared to the monometallic counterparts, the presence of foreign metal is expected to bring new physicochemical properties, thus exhibiting synergistic effect for enhanced performance. MOFs have been proved as a good platform for the fabrication of polymetallic nanomaterials with requisite features. Herein, various design strategies related to constructing multi-metallic nanomaterials from MOFs are summarized for the first time, involving metal nodal substitution, seed epitaxial growth, ion-exchange strategy, guest species encapsulation, solution impregnation and combination with extraneous substrate. Afterwards, the recent advances of multi-metallic nanomaterials for electrocatalytic applications, including oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), are systematically discussed. Finally, a personal outlook on the future trends and challenges are also presented with hope to enlighten deeper understanding and new thoughts for the development of multi-metal nanomaterials from MOFs.

Metal-Organic Frameworks Derived Electrocatalysts for Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Reduction Reaction

The increasing demands of energy and environmental concerns have motivated researchers to cultivate renewable energy resources for replacing conventional fossil fuels. The modern energy conversion and storage devices required high efficient and stable electrocatalysts to fulfil the market demands. In previous years, we are witness for considerable developments of scientific attention in Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs) and their derived nanomaterials in electrocatalysis. In current review article, we have discussed the progress of optimistic strategies and approaches for the manufacturing of MOF-derived functional materials and their presentation as electrocatalysts for significant energy related reactions. MOFs functioning as a self-sacrificing template bid different benefits for the preparation of metal nanostructures, metal oxides and carbon-abundant materials promoting through the porous structure, organic functionalities, abundance of metal sites and large surface area. Thorough study for the recent advancement in the MOF-derived materials, metal-coordinated N-doped carbons with single-atom active sites are emerging candidates for future commercial applications. However, there are some tasks that should be addressed, to attain improved, appreciative and controlled structural parameters for catalytic and chemical behavior.

Catalyst overcoating engineering towards high-performance electrocatalysis

Clean and sustainable energy needs the development of advanced heterogeneous catalysts as they are of vital importance for electrochemical transformation reactions in renewable energy conversion and storage devices. Advances in nanoscience and material chemistry have afforded great opportunities for the design and optimization of nanostructured electrocatalysts with high efficiency and practical durability. In this review article, we specifically emphasize the synthetic methodologies for the versatile surface overcoating engineering reported to date for optimal electrocatalysts. We discuss the recent progress in the development of surface overcoating-derived electrocatalysts potentially applied in polymer electrolyte fuel cells and water electrolyzers by correlating catalyst intrinsic structures with electrocatalytic properties. Finally, we present the opportunities and perspectives of surface overcoating engineering for the design of advanced (electro)catalysts and their deep exploitation in a broad scope of applications.

Prussian Blue Analogs and Their Derived Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Energy Storage and Electrocatalysis

Prussian blue analogs (PBAs), the oldest artificial cyanide-based coordination polymers, possess open framework structures, large specific surface areas, uniform metal active sites, and tunable composition, showing significant perspective in electrochemical energy storage. These electrochemically active materials have also been converted to various functional metal containing nanomaterials, including carbon encapsulated metals/metal alloys, metal oxides, metal sulfides, metal phosphides, etc. originating from the multi-element compositions as well as elaborate structure design. In this paper, a comprehensive review will be presented on the recent progresses in the development of PBA frameworks and their derivatives based electrode materials and electrocatalysts for electrochemical energy storage and conversion. In particular, it will focus on the synthesis of representative nanostructures, the structure design, and figure out the correlation between nanomaterials structure and electrochemical performance. Lastly, critical scientific challenges in this research area are also discussed and perspective directions for the future research in this field are provided, in order to provide a brand new vision into the further development of novel active materials for the next-generation advanced electrochemical devices.

Dual stimuli-responsive metal-organic framework-based nanosystem for synergistic photothermal/pharmacological antibacterial therapy

The serious threat of drug-resistant bacterial pathogens has arisen through overuse of antibiotics. Photothermal therapy (PTT) has come to prominence as viable alternative strategy for antibacterial therapy. In this work, we report a NIR/pH dual stimuli-responsive antibacterial formulation based on zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF-8) with strong antibacterial activity that combines photothermal heating with enhanced antibiotic delivery. ZIF-8 with polydopamine (PDA) surface modification was used to encapsulate the antibiotic vancomycin to construct a dual stimuli-responsive antimicrobial formulation (Van@ZIF-8@PDA). This treatment was tested against Gram-positive Mu50 (a vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus reference strain). Results showed that the PDA coating improved ZIF-8 stability and dispersion, while also conferring a high photothermal conversion efficiency. Hyperthermia activated by near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, in conjunction with pH-dependent nanoparticle degradation to release vancomycin, enabled tight control of drug delivery that functioned synergistically in the elimination of both planktonic bacteria prior to biofilm formation and established biofilms. We found that this combined formulation compromises cell structure while also degrading bacterial DNA. Moreover, further investigation showed that the Van@ZIF-8@PDA nanoparticles exhibit good biocompatibility, with low toxicity toward host organs and tissues, while also reducing the antibiotic concentration needed for effective bacterial control. Finally, we treated Mu50 in a mouse model of skin abscess and found that Van@ZIF-8@PDA was effective and safe in vivo. Cumulatively, this study shows that this NIR/pH dual stimuli-responsive nanoparticle-based formulation offers a promising potential strategy for clinical application against bacterial infection that circumvents antibiotic resistance.

Metal Organic Frameworks Derived Fe-N-C Nanostructures as High-Performance Electrodes for Sodium Ion Batteries and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding

Metal organic framework (MOF)-derived carbon nanostructures (MDC) synthesized by either calcinations or carbonization or pyrolysis are emerging as attractive materials for a wide range of applications like batteries, super-capacitors, sensors, water treatment, etc. But the process of transformation of MOFs into MDCs is time-consuming, with reactions requiring inert atmospheres and reaction time typically running into hours. In this manuscript, we report the transformation of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, (DABCO)-based MOFs into iron nitride nanoparticles embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes by simple, fast and facile microwave pyrolysis. By using graphene oxide and carbon fiber as microwave susceptible surfaces, three-dimensional nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes vertically grown on reduced graphene oxide (MDNCNT@rGO) and carbon fibers (MDCNT@CF), respectively, were obtained, whose utility as anode material in sodium-ion batteries (MDNCNT@rGO) and for EMI (electromagnetic interference) shielding material (MDCNT@CF) is reported.

Atomic- and Molecular-Level Design of Functional Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Derivatives for Energy and Environmental Applications

Continuing population growth and accelerated fossil-fuel consumption with recent technological advancements have engendered energy and environmental concerns, urging researchers to develop advanced functional materials to overcome the associated problems. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as frontier materials due to their unique porous organic-inorganic hybrid periodic assembly and exceptional diversity in structural properties and chemical functionalities. In particular, the modular nature and modularity-dependent activity of MOFs and MOF derivatives have accentuated the delicate atomic- and molecular design and synthesis of MOFs, and their meticulous conversion into carbons and transition-metal-based materials. Synthetic control over framework architecture, content, and reactivity has led to unprecedented merits relevant to various energy and environmental applications. Herein, an overview of the atomic- and molecular-design strategies of MOFs to realize application-targeted properties is provided. Recent progress on the development of MOFs and MOF derivatives based on these strategies, along with their performance, is summarized with a special emphasis on design-structure and functionality-activity relationships. Next, the respective energy- and environmental-related applications of catalysis and energy storage, as well as gas storage-separation and water harvesting with close association to the energy-water-environment nexus are highlighted. Last, perspectives on current challenges and recommendations for further development of MOF-based materials are also discussed.

Spiderweb-Like Fe-Co Prussian Blue Analogue Nanofibers as Efficient Catalyst for Bisphenol-A Degradation by Activating Peroxymonosulfate

Prussian blue and its analogues (PBA) based nanomaterials have been widely applied to removing pollutants in the recent years. However, easy aggregation and poor recycling largely limit their practical applications. In this work, spiderweb-like Fe-Co Prussian blue analogue/polyacrylonitrile (FCPBA/PAN) nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning and applied to degrading bisphenol-A (BPA) by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Detailed characterization demonstrated that a high loading of FCPBA (86% of FCPBA in FCPBA/PAN) was successfully fixed on the PAN nanofibers. 67% of BPA was removed within 240 min when 500 mg·L⁻¹ PMS and 233 mg·L⁻¹ FCPBA/PAN were introduced in 20 mg·L⁻¹ BPA solution at initial pH of 2.8. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and radical inhibition experiments were performed to identify the possible degradation mechanism. For comparison, a low loading of FCPBA nanofibers (0.6FCPBA/PAN nanofibers, 43% of FCPBA in FCPBA/PAN) were also prepared and tested the catalytic performance. The results showed that the activity of FCPBA/PAN was much higher than 0.6FCPBA/PAN. Furthermore, a FCPBA/PAN packed column was made as a reactor to demonstrate the reusability and stability of FCPBA/PAN nanofibers, which also exhibited the bright future for the industrial application. This work makes it possible to fabricate efficient PBA nanocatalysts with excellent recyclability and promotes the application of PBA in industrial areas.

High-Density Cobalt Nanoparticles Encapsulated with Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanoshells as a Bifunctional Catalyst for Rechargeable Zinc-Air Battery

High efficient electrocatalytic activity and strong stability to both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution (OER) are very critical to rechargeable Zn-air battery and other renewable energy technologies. As a class of promising catalysts, the nanocoposites of transition metal nanoparticles that are encapsulated with nitrogen-doped carbon nanoshells are considered as promising substitutes to expensive precious metal based catalysts. In this work, we demonstrate the successful preparation of high-density cobalt nanoparticles encapsulated in very thin N-doped carbon nanoshells by the pyrolysis of solid state cyclen-Co-dicyandiamide complex. The morphologies and properties of products can be conveniently tuned by adjusting the pyrolysis temperature. Owing to the synergetic effect of hybrid nanostructure, the optimized Co@N-C-800 sample possesses outstanding bifunctional activity for both ORR and OER in alkaline electrolyte. Meanwhile, the corresponding rechargeable zinc-air battery that is based on Co@N-C-800 air cathode also has excellent current density, low charge-discharge voltage gap, high power density, and strong cycle stability, making it a suitable alternative to take the place of precious metal catalysts for practical utilization.

MOF-derived Ni@NC catalyst: synthesis, characterization, and application in one-pot hydrogenation and reductive amination

MOF-derived Ni@NC is prepared and used as highly selective catalyst for one-pot hydrogenation and reductive amination.

Engineering FeCo alloy@N-doped carbon layers by directly pyrolyzing Prussian blue analogue: new peroxidase mimetic for chemiluminescence glucose biosensing

Direct pyrolysis of a Prussian blue analogue produced FeCo@NC with high and stable peroxidase-like activity, which catalyzes luminol oxidation by H₂O₂ to generate strong CL emission, and this finding results in a new CL biosensor for glucose.

MOF derived carbon based nanocomposite materials as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions

The escalating global energy demands and the formidable risks posed by fossil fuels coupled with their rapid depletion have inspired researchers to embark on a quest for sustainable clean energy. Electrochemistry based technologies, e.g., fuel cells, Zn-air batteries or water splitting, are some of the frontrunners of this green energy revolution. The primary concern of such sustainable energy technologies is the efficient conversion and storage of clean energy. Most of these technologies are based on half-cell reactions like oxygen reduction, oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions, which in turn depend on noble metal based catalysts for their efficient functioning. In order to make such green energy technologies economically viable, the need of the hour is to develop new noble metal free catalysts. Porous carbon, with some assistance from heteroatoms like N or S or earth abundant transition metal or metal oxide nanoparticles, has shown excellent potential in the catalysis of such electrochemical reactions. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) containing metal nodes and organic linkers in an ordered morphology with inherent porosity are ideal self-sacrificial templates for such carbon materials. There has been a recent spurt in reports on such MOF-derived carbon based materials as electrocatalysts. In this review, we have presented some of this research work and also discussed the practical reasons behind choosing MOFs for this purpose. Different approaches for synthesizing such carbonaceous materials with unique morphologies and doping, targeted towards superior electrochemical activity, have been documented in this review.

Templating Synthesis of Mesoporous Fe3C-Encapsulated Fe-N-Doped Carbon Hollow Nanospindles for Electrocatalysis

Developing cost-efficient alternatives to the noble metal catalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has attracted much attention. Herein, a kind of mesoporous hollow spindlelike Fe-N-C electrocatalysts with iron carbide nanoparticles encased in the N-doped graphitic layers has been synthesized by a novel "reactive hard template" strategy through the Fe³⁺-assisted polymerization of dopamine on the Fe₂O₃ cores and the following calcinations. The Fe₂O₃ nanospindles not only as the hard template guide the formation of well-defined shape and structure of the catalyst but also as the reactive template provide Fe reservoir to generate Fe₃C nanoparticles in the catalyst during the thermochemical process. The superiority in accessible active sites of Fe-N _x species, Fe₃C nanoparticles in graphenelike layers, and highly mesoporous hollow structure enables the catalysts to exhibit excellent ORR performances including high catalytic activity, outstanding long-term cycling stability, and good tolerance to methanol.

Cobalt-Based Coordination Polymer for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Lack of control over the structure and electrically nonconductive properties of coordination polymers (CPs) creates a major hindrance to designing an active electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Here, we report a new semiconductive and low-optical band gap CP structure [{Co₃(μ₃-OH)(BTB)₂(BPE)₂}{Co_0.5N(C₅H₅)}], 1, that exhibits high-performance ORR in alkaline medium. The electrical conductivity of compound 1 was measured using impedance spectroscopy and found to be 5 × 10^-4 S cm^-1. The Ketjenblack EC-600JD carbon used as a support for all the electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry, rotating disk electrode, rotating ring-disk electrode and Koutecký-Levich analysis. The as-synthesized Co-based catalyst has the ability to reduce O₂ to H₂O by a nearly four-electron process. The crystal structure of 1 shows that the trimeric unit {Co₃(μ₃-OH)(COO)₅N₃} and monomeric unit {Co(COO)₂(NC₅H₄)₂}²⁺ are linked with BTB and BPE linkers to form a three-dimensional structure. Theoretical calculations predict that the monomeric center acts as an active catalytic site for ORR. This could be due to the efficient overlap of highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital between monomer and O₂ molecule. This CP, 1, shows facile 3.6-electron ORR, and it is inexpensive compared with widely used Pt catalysts. Therefore, this CP can be used as a promising cathode material for fuel cells in terms of efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Well-Defined Cobalt Catalyst with N-Doped Carbon Layers Enwrapping: The Correlation between Surface Atomic Structure and Electrocatalytic Property

Admittedly, the surface atomic structure of heterogenous catalysts toward the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are accepted as the important features that can tune catalytic activity and even catalytic pathway. Herein, a surface engineering strategy to controllably synthesize a carbon-layer-wrapped cobalt-catalyst from 2D cobalt-based metal-organic frameworks is elaborately demonstrated. Combined with synchrotron radiation X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the soft X-ray absorption near-edge structure results confirmed that rich covalent interfacial CoNC bonds are efficiently formed between cobalt nanoparticles and wrapped carbon-layers during the polydopamine-assisted pyrolysis process. The X-ray absorption fine structure and corresponding extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra further reveal that the wrapped cobalt with Co-N coordinations shows distinct surface distortion and atomic environmental change of Co-based active sites. In contrast to the control sample without coating layers, the 800 °C-annealed cobalt catalyst with N-doped carbon layers enwrapping achieves significantly enhanced ORR activity with onset and half-wave potentials of 0.923 and 0.816 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode), highlighting the important correlation between surface atomic structure and catalytic property.

Synthesis of cobalt nanoparticles by pyrolysis of vitamin B12: a non-noble-metal catalyst for efficient hydrogenation of nitriles

A facile preparation of vitamin B₁₂-derived carbonaceous cobalt particles supported on ceria is reported.

Robust Catalysis on 2D Materials Encapsulating Metals: Concept, Application, and Perspective

Great endeavors are undertaken to search for low-cost, rich-reserve, and highly efficient alternatives to replace precious-metal catalysts, in order to cut costs and improve the efficiency of catalysts in industry. However, one major problem in metal catalysts, especially nonprecious-metal catalysts, is their poor stability in real catalytic processes. Recently, a novel and promising strategy to construct 2D materials encapsulating nonprecious-metal catalysts has exhibited inimitable advantages toward catalysis, especially under harsh conditions (e.g., strong acidity or alkalinity, high temperature, and high overpotential). The concept, which originates from unique electron penetration through the 2D crystal layer from the encapsulated metals to promote a catalytic reaction on the outermost surface of the 2D crystal, has been widely applied in a variety of reactions under harsh conditions. It has been vividly described as "chainmail for catalyst." Herein, recent progress concerning this chainmail catalyst is reviewed, particularly focusing on the structural design and control with the associated electronic properties of such heterostructure catalysts, and also on their extensive applications in fuel cells, water splitting, CO₂ conversion, solar cells, metal-air batteries, and heterogeneous catalysis. In addition, the current challenges that are faced in fundamental research and industrial application, and future opportunities for these fantastic catalytic materials are discussed.

"Wiring" Fe-Nx -Embedded Porous Carbon Framework onto 1D Nanotubes for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline and Acidic Media

This study presents a novel metal-organic-framework-engaged synthesis route based on porous tellurium nanotubes as a sacrificial template for hierarchically porous 1D carbon nanotubes. Furthermore, an ultrathin Fe-ion-containing polydopamine layer has been introduced to generate highly effective FeN_x C active sites into the carbon framework and to induce a high degree of graphitization. The synergistic effects between the hierarchically porous 1D carbon structure and the embedded FeN_x C active sites in the carbon framework manifest in superior catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) compared to Pt/C catalyst in both alkaline and acidic media. A rechargeable zinc-air battery assembled in a decoupled configuration with the nonprecious pCNT@Fe@GL/CNF ORR electrode and Ni-Fe LDH/NiF oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrode exhibits charge-discharge overpotentials similar to the counterparts of Pt/C ORR electrode and IrO₂ OER electrode.

Metal-Organic Framework Template Synthesis of NiCo2S4@C Encapsulated in Hollow Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Cubes with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance for Lithium Storage

Owing to its richer redox reaction and remarkable electrical conductivity, bimetallic nickel cobalt sulfide (NiCo₂S₄) is considered as an advanced electrode material for energy-storage applications. Herein, nanosized NiCo₂S₄@C encapsulated in a hollow nitrogen-doped carbon cube (NiCo₂S₄@D-NC) has been fabricated using a core@shell Ni₃[Co(CN)₆]₂@polydopamine (PDA) nanocube as the precursor. In this composite, the NiCo₂S₄ nanoparticles coated with conformal carbon layers are homogeneously embedded in a 3D high-conduction carbon shell from PDA. Both the inner and the outer carbon coatings are helpful in increasing the electrical conductivity of the electrode materials and prohibit the polysulfide intermediates from dissolving in the electrolyte. When researched as electrode materials for lithium storage, owing to the unique structure with double layers of nitrogen-doped carbon coating, the as-obtained NiCo₂S₄@D-NC electrode maintains an excellent specific capacity of 480 mAh g^-1 at 100 mA g^-1 after 100 cycles. Even after 500 cycles at 500 mA g^-1, a reversible capacity of 427 mAh g^-1 can be achieved, suggesting an excellent rate capability and an ultralong cycling life. This remarkable lithium storage property indicates its potential application for future lithium-ion batteries.

CoSb3 alloy nanoparticles wrapped with N-doped carbon layers as a highly active bifunctional electrocatalyst for zinc–air batteries

CoSb₃ nanoparticles wrapped with N-doped carbon layers have been prepared and showed excellent catalytic activities both for ORR and OER. A real rechargeable zinc–air battery with CoSb₃@NCL-30 catalyst as air cathode exhibited outstanding electrochemical properties.

Two-dimensional graphene-like N, Co-codoped carbon nanosheets derived from ZIF-67 polyhedrons for efficient oxygen reduction reactions

Graphene-like N, Co-codoped carbon nanosheets have been fabricated from ZIF-67 in a molten salt medium.

Efficient synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon with flower-like tungsten nitride nanosheets for improving the oxygen reduction reactions

Novel WN FNs/N–C consisting of WN nanosheets with flower-like morphology and N–C composites was prepared with an improved ORR performance.

Ordered mesoporous carbons codoped with nitrogen and iron as effective catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

Doping with foreign atoms is an effective approach to significantly enhance the catalytic performance of carbon materials for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this paper, a colloidal silica template method was employed to synthesize nitrogen and iron codoped ordered mesoporous carbon for ORR electrocatalysis. The carbon materials were thoroughly characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The porosity was quantified by nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements that showed the formation of ordered mesoporous structures with a BET specific surface area up to 953.8 m² g^-1 and the mesopores mostly centered at ca. 25 nm, close to the size of the colloidal silica. The resulting mesoporous carbon exhibited apparent ORR activity in alkaline media, which was highly comparable to that of commercial Pt/C (20 wt%), with the onset potential at +0.99 V vs. RHE. This was ascribed largely to nitrogen dopants, with additional contributions from the trace amounts of iron dopants, and the reactions appeared to be facilitated by the formation of a mesoporous structure. Moreover, the mesoporous carbon showed better stability, resistance against fuel crossover, and selective activity than Pt/C. This work demonstrates a new paradigm for the preparation of heteroatom-doped carbon materials that are promising alternatives to Pt-based catalysts for fuel cells.