Unveiling the structural transformations of the PW<sub>11</sub>Co@ZIF-67 nanocomposite induced by thermal treatment
Víctor Karim Abdelkader-Fernández, Diana M. Fernandes, Salete S. Balula, Luı́s Cunha-Silva, Manuel Pérez‐Mendoza, Cristina Freire
Abstract
Co@ZIF-67 precursor, although with incipient signs of both POM and ZIF-67 structural decompositions. The following samples-D500, D600, and D950-exhibit a carbonaceous nature consisting of C-embedded compositionally complex nanoparticles that involve Co and W present as diverse species, metallic/oxide/phosphate/phosphide. D500 presents the best intrinsic electrochemistry, probably due to the high proportion of pyridinic N moieties doping its C matrix combined with small-sized and highly dispersed Co-enriched nanoparticles. This study focuses on the need for a thorough physicochemical characterization of this class of highly nanostructured materials with a view to exploring their application in electrocatalysis.