Issue 33, 2015

MOF derived Co3O4 nanoparticles embedded in N-doped mesoporous carbon layer/MWCNT hybrids: extraordinary bi-functional electrocatalysts for OER and ORR

Abstract

Highly efficient and non-precious metal electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reactions (OERs) and oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) are at the heart of key renewable-energy technologies. Nevertheless, developing highly active bi-functional catalysts at low cost for both OER and ORR still remains a huge challenge. In this paper, Co3O4 nanocrystals embedded in N-doped mesoporous graphitic carbon layer/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) hybrids are prepared by a facile carbonization and subsequent oxidation process of MWCNT-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). As a result, in alkaline media, the hybrid material catalyzes OER with an onset potential of 1.50 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) and an over-potential only of 320 mV to achieve a stable current density of 10 mA cm−2 for at least 25 h. The same hybrids also exhibit similar catalytic activity but superior stability to the commercial 20 wt% Pt/C catalyst for ORR, making it a high-performance cheap bi-catalyst for both OER and ORR. The design concept of nonmetal-doped and precious-metal-free electrocatalysts from MOFs can be extended to fabricate other novel, stable and easy to use catalyst systems for advanced applications.

Graphical abstract: MOF derived Co3O4 nanoparticles embedded in N-doped mesoporous carbon layer/MWCNT hybrids: extraordinary bi-functional electrocatalysts for OER and ORR

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
29 May 2015
Accepted
21 Jul 2015
First published
22 Jul 2015

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015,3, 17392-17402

MOF derived Co3O4 nanoparticles embedded in N-doped mesoporous carbon layer/MWCNT hybrids: extraordinary bi-functional electrocatalysts for OER and ORR

X. Li, Y. Fang, X. Lin, M. Tian, X. An, Y. Fu, R. Li, J. Jin and J. Ma, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015, 3, 17392 DOI: 10.1039/C5TA03900B

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