N,P-Doped carbon with encapsulated Co nanoparticles as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions

Exploring efficient non-noble ORR catalysts as alternatives to Pt-based catalysts are highly demanded for their possible application in fuel cells and rechargeable metal-air batteries. Herein, we demonstrate a rational design and synthesis of a N, P-doped carbon with encapsulated Co nanoparticles as efficient electrocatalysts for ORR. The catalyst is derived from a mixture of Co-MOF and triphenylphosphine with a mass ratio of 3 : 1 by pyrolysis in N2 atmosphere at 700 °C. The catalyst exhibited a superior ORR catalytic performance among its counterparts in 0.1 M KOH with onset and half-wave potentials of 0.88 V and 0.80 V, a much larger limiting current density of -5.93 mA cm-2 that surpassed commercial 20% Pt/C, in addition to its durability and resistance to methanol. This enhanced ORR activity of the catalyst can be attributed to the synergistic effect between Co NPs and N, P atoms, the relatively large contact surface, more exposed active sites and good electrical conductivity. This study would provide some new ideas for the design and construction of promising carbon-based non-precious metal electrocatalysts for future practical fuel cell applications.