Ionothermal synthesis of N-doped carbon supported CoMn2O4 nanoparticles as ORR catalyst in direct glucose alkaline fuel cell

In this paper, CoMn 2 O 4 /NC nanocomposites were synthesized via a facile ionothermal synthesis route, and their electrocatalytic performance for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was investigated in a direct glucose alkaline fuel cell (DGAFC). The CoMn 2 O 4 spinel supported on nitrogen-doped carbon was successfully synthesized with the assistance of the ionic liquid [C 6 mim]Cl. The nanocomposite exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards ORR. Especially, CoMn 2 O 4 /NC achieved a half wave potential of 0.81 V (vs RHE) and a maximum diffusion limiting current density of 5.2 mA cm −2 , that are very close to commercial Pt/C catalyst (E 1/2  = 0.83 V vs RHE , J d  = 5.0 mA cm −2 ). In addition, the catalytic performance of CoMn 2 O 4 /NC was investigated in DGFC. The fuel cell with a CoMn 2 O 4 /NC air cathode achieved a peak power density of 23.72 W m −2 , which was even superior to that with a commercial Pt/C air cathode. This work revealed that ionic liquid is a viable reaction medium for preparation of catalyst with robust activity.