A Cost-Effective Iron Based Covalent Organic Framework and Its Composite Electrocatalyst for Active and Stable Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Solution

Earth-abundant non-precious-metal-based materials are promising candidates for low-cost oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. Within those elements, iron is the cheapest given the abundant resources. However, there are few iron-based ORR catalysts given the difficulty of achieving good electrocatalytic activity and stability with them in comparison to cobalt- and nickel-based catalysts. Moreover, the synthesis of iron-based ORR catalysts is energy intense and normally requires complicated processes. This work reports an iron-based covalent organic framework (COF) synthesized through a one-step low-temperature solid reaction, which is cost effective and energy saving. The iron-based COF, named IPPc, shows a high four-electron-transfer reaction selectivity. After compositing it with reduced graphene oxide, the resulting composite preserves the high electron-transfer reaction selectivity and displays a largely enhanced activity and stability.

Automated summary

The iron-based covalent organic framework IPPc shows high four-electron-transfer reaction selectivity, and when composited with reduced graphene oxide, the resulting composite displays significantly enhanced activity and stability.