Issue 32, 2015

A graphene-directed assembly route to hierarchically porous Co–Nx/C catalysts for high-performance oxygen reduction

Abstract

The development of non-precious metal catalysts for efficient oxygen reduction is of significance for many advanced electrochemical devices such as fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Herein, we develop a graphene-directed assembly route to synthesize hierarchically nanoporous Co–Nx/C materials with a macro/meso/microporous structure, high specific surface area (i.e. 512 m2 g−1) and excellent conductivity using graphene oxide (GO) supported zeolitic imidazolate framework nanocrystal arrays as a catalyst precursor, followed by the carbonization and acid leaching process. In this route, GO acts as a structure-directing agent to construct ZIF nanocrystal arrays supported on GO nanosheets. During the carbonization process, the resulting reduced graphene oxide functions as a binder and electrical conductor to connect individual ZIF-derived carbon nanoparticles into the macroporous structure and increase the overall conductivity. ZIF nanocrystals themselves are also converted into meso/microporous carbon nanoparticles without using any other template. The hierarchically porous Co–Nx/C materials exhibit high ORR catalytic activity, superior stability and good methanol tolerance under both alkaline and acidic conditions.

Graphical abstract: A graphene-directed assembly route to hierarchically porous Co–Nx/C catalysts for high-performance oxygen reduction

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 Jun 2015
Accepted
14 Jul 2015
First published
14 Jul 2015

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015,3, 16867-16873

Author version available

A graphene-directed assembly route to hierarchically porous Co–Nx/C catalysts for high-performance oxygen reduction

J. Wei, Y. Hu, Z. Wu, Y. Liang, S. Leong, B. Kong, X. Zhang, D. Zhao, G. P. Simon and H. Wang, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015, 3, 16867 DOI: 10.1039/C5TA04330A

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