Preparation of Co-based nanoboxes as Oxygen Electroreduction Nanoreactor

Abstract

Investigating the constituents of active catalysts is crucial for the advancement of ORR electrocatalysts that are both high in performance and stability, aiming to supplant the expensive platinum-based alternatives, yet this task continues to be a persistent challenge. Firstly, HA nanoplates of hydroxyapatite nanocontainers were decorated with zeolite imidazole salt framework (named as HA-ZIF) by hydrothermal synthesis method, and then Co-based imidazole zeolite framework decorated with Zn group was synthesized by simple self-assembly method, and it was calcined at different temperatures. Finally, the ORR performance obtained samples (named as Co2(PO4)2@NC-800, Co2(PO4)2@NC-900 and Co2(PO4)2@NC-1000) was tested by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear scanning voltammetry (LSV), and the morphological and structural characterization of composite catalysts at different temperatures were analyzed by PXRD and SEM. It was found that the Co2(PO4)2@NC-900 had the best catalytic performance. The study presents a flexible approach for creating versatile non-precious catalysts applicable to various energy-related electrocatalytic processes.