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

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.