Layer-by-layer motif hybridization: nanoporous nickel oxide flakes wrapped into graphene oxide sheets toward enhanced oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

Herein we report a novel strategy involving the hybridization of nanoporous NiO flakes with graphene oxide (GO) sheets. The as-prepared flake-like nickel cyano-bridged coordination polymers (NiCNNi) are hybridized with GO sheets and thermally treated in air, so the organic materials can be removed without affecting the integrity of the parent GO sheets. Thus, the layer-by-layer construction followed by a thermal treatment can produce a new hybrid nanoporous material consisting of NiO and GO. The obtained hybrid material exhibits an efficient catalytic activity and stability for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).