A metal–organic framework derived 3D hierarchical Co/N-doped carbon nanotube/nanoparticle composite as an active electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction in alkaline electrolyte

Abstract

Here, we have successfully prepared a 3D hierarchical Co/N-doped carbon nanotube/nanoparticle composite as a high-performance electrocatalyst toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), via pyrolysis of bimetallic Co, Zn-zeolitic imidazolate (Co, Zn-ZIF) crystals coated on the surface of silica templates. The resultant 3D Co/NCNTs-Zn/Co catalyst shows comparable ORR activity, better durability and stronger methanol tolerance compared to the state-of-the-art Pt/C catalyst in alkaline media.