Co/Co3O4/C-N, a novel nanostructure and excellent catalytic system for the oxygen reduction reaction

Catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) play an important role in fuel cells. Developing the novel catalyst with high activity at low-cost remains a great challenge. We report the novel nanostructure (Co/Co3O4/C-N) of an interconnected nitrogen-doped carbon framework with Co/Co3O4 nanoparticles. Chitosan was used as carbon and nitrogen sources. The product, which has high BET surface area (320.5 m(2) g(-1)) shows excellent catalytic ability, stability and tolerance to methanol poisoning effects in the alkaline media for ORR. The product may also have potential applications in the fields of metal-air batteries, supercapacitors, lithium ion batteries, sensors, gas uptake, and so on. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.