Cobalt nanoparticle decorated N-doped carbons derived from a cobalt covalent organic framework for oxygen electrochemistry

doi:10.1007/s11705-021-2104-4

Front. Chem. Sci. Eng.

2021, Vol. 15

Issue (6) : 1550-1560 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-021-2104-4

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Cobalt nanoparticle decorated N-doped carbons derived from a cobalt covalent organic framework for oxygen electrochemistry

Rui-Qi Zhang¹, Ang Ma¹, Xiang Liang¹, Li-Min Zhao¹, Hui Zhao¹(

), Zhong-Yong Yuan²(

)

¹. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
². Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 3000350, China

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Abstract

The low cost and highly efficient construction of electrocatalysts has attracted significant attention owing to the use of clean and sustainable energy technologies. In this work, cobalt nanoparticle decorated N-doped carbons (Co@NC) are synthesized by the pyrolysis of a cobalt covalent organic framework under an inert atmosphere. The Co@NC demonstrates improved electrocatalytic capabilities compared to N-doped carbon without the addition of Co nanoparticles, indicating the important role of cobalt. The well-dispersed active sites (Co–N_x) and the synergistic effect between the carbon matrix and Co nanoparticles greatly enhance the electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction. In addition, the Co content has a significant effect on the catalytic activity. The resulting Co@NC-0.86 exhibits a superb electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction in an alkaline electrolyte in terms of the onset potential (0.90 V), half-wave potential (0.80 V) and the limiting current density (4.84 mA·cm^–2), and a high selectivity, as well as a strong methanol tolerance and superior durability, these results are comparable to those of the Pt/C catalyst. Furthermore, the superior bifunctional activity of Co@NC-0.86 was also confirmed in a home-built Zn-air battery, signifying the possibility for application in electrode materials and in current energy conversion and storage devices.

Keywords cobalt embedment N-doped carbons covalent organic framework oxygen reduction Zn-air battery

Corresponding Author(s): Hui Zhao,Zhong-Yong Yuan

Online First Date: 22 October 2021 Issue Date: 09 November 2021

Cite this article:

Rui-Qi Zhang,Ang Ma,Xiang Liang, et al. Cobalt nanoparticle decorated N-doped carbons derived from a cobalt covalent organic framework for oxygen electrochemistry[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(6): 1550-1560.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/10.1007/s11705-021-2104-4
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/Y2021/V15/I6/1550

Fig.1 Scheme 1 Schematic procedure for the synthesis of Co@NC materials.

Fig.2 SEM images of (a) NC, and (b) Co@NC-0.86; TEM images of (c) NC, (d, e) Co@NC-0.86, and high-resolution TEM image of (f) Co@NC-0.86.

Fig.3 (a) XRD patterns, (b) Raman spectra, (c) N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm curves, and (d) pore size distributions of NC and Co@NC-x.

Fig.4 (a) XPS spectrum of Co@NC-0.86; high-resolution spectra of (b) C, (c) Co, and (d) N; (e) percentages of pyridinic N, pyrrolic N, graphitic N, pyridinic-N-oxide, and Co-N_x in Co@NC-0.86.

Fig.5 (a) LSV and (b) CV curves of synthesized samples and Pt/C for ORR in O₂-saturated 0.1 mol?L⁻¹ KOH; (c) ORR Tafel plots; (d) electron transfer number (n) and H₂O₂ yield of Co@NC-0.86 and Pt/C for ORR in O₂-saturated 0.1 mol·L⁻¹ KOH; (e) i-t relation of resistance to methanol poison for Co@NC-0.86 and Pt/C through adding 5 mL 3 mol·L⁻¹ methanol into solution; (f) chronoamperometric response of Co@NC-0.86 and Pt/C over 20000 s.

Fig.6 (a) LSV curves of fabricated catalysts measured in the potential both ORR and OER; (b) optical photograph of the open-circuit voltage of the Co@NC-0.86 assembled ZAB; (c) the curves of Galvanodynamic charge/discharge polarization of the assembled ZAB; (d) the discharge polarization curves and the corresponding power densities of the assembled ZAB; (e) discharge-charge cycling curves of the Co@NC-0.86-assembled ZAB; (f) digital photograph of white-light emitting diode lit by the Co@NC-0.86-assembled ZABs (three) in series.

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