MnO Enabling Highly Efficient and Stable Co‐N<sub>x</sub>/C for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in both Acidic and Alkaline Media
Cheng Chen, Zi‐Jun Tang, Jia‐Yi Li, Cong‐Yi Du, Ting Ouyang, Kang Xiao, Zhao‐Qing Liu
Abstract
Abstract In situ growing transition metals on N‐doped carbon by atomic doping produces a class of promising alternatives to replace Pt‐based catalysts for redox reactions, yet still suffer from unsatisfactory activity and durability in acidic and basic media. Herein, a simple synthetic strategy to fabricate an MnO modifying Co‐N x /C catalyst with high activity and robust durability is presented. The interphase engineering well controls the Co and N species in the carbon matrix, affording the material with more pyridine N and graphite N; the interaction between Co‐N x and MnO phase is also well discussed. Accordingly, the obtained Co‐N x /C‐MnO catalyst exhibits excellent electrocatalytic properties towards oxygen reduction reaction, achieving a half‐wave potential of 0.87 and 0.66 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.1 m KOH and 0.1 m HClO 4 solutions, as well as excellent durability with only −16.9 and −12.2 mV shift after 1000 cycles, respectively. This study provides insights into the design of noble‐metal‐free electrocatalysts from the perspective of active sites and catalyst carriers.