Metal-organic frameworks derived Co/N-doped carbon nanonecklaces as high-efficient oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts

Metal/carbon-based materials derived from metal-organic frameworks have recently attracted great attention for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts , but poor electrical conductivity and insufficient stability owing to granular structures, as well as low production hinder their practical applications. Herein, we design and synthesize Co nanoparticles decorated on N-doped carbon nanonecklaces (Co/N-CNNs) by way of electrospinning and following carbonization . The Co/N-CNNs hybrid exhibits excellent ORR performance with a positive half-wave potential (0.865 V) and a large limiting current density (5.35 mA cm −2 ), even comparable to those of Pt/C. Such superior electrocatalytic properties are attributed to the distinctive necklace-like structure, which supplies high specific surface area, hierarchical porous structure , well-dispersed and covered Co nanoparticles, and hierarchical architecture of N-doped carbon. This work provides an effective strategy to fabricate ORR electrocatalysts with well-designed structure and mass production via electrospinning.