Graphitic carbon wrapped Co on Zn, Co, N-codoped 3D tremella-like carbon with abundant nanocages for high-performance oxygen reduction

To develop green and renewable energy, subtle design and synthesis of non-precious metal catalysts with low-price, high-efficiency, and robust stability are of paramount significance for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this study, we synthesized graphitic carbon wrapped Co on Zn, Co, N-codoped 3D tremella-like carbon with abundant nanocages (G-Co/Zn, Co, N-TCs) by one-step coordination pyrolysis in the presence of azacytosine. The pyrolysis temperature and Zn/Co feeding ratio were carefully investigated. Integrating the unique structure and synergistic effect of the bimetals , the resulting G-Co/Zn, Co, N-TCs exhibited remarkable ORR activity ( E onset  = 0.99 V; E 1/2  = 0.88 V vs. RHE), and excellent stability (only 13 mV negative shift of E 1/2 after scanning 2000 cycles), outperforming the control groups and commercial Pt/C under alkaline condition. This research presents some precious viewpoints for fabricating advanced N- and transition metal-dual doped carbon electrocatalysts in energy conversion and storage correlated devices.