Composite of FeCo alloy embedded in biocarbon derived from eggshell membrane with high performance for oxygen reduction reaction and supercapacitor

Composite of FeCo alloy embedded in nitrogen self-doped biocarbon was faciely prepared by pyrolysis of precursor of eggshell membrane mixed with nitrates. Three samples were prepared at different pyrolysis temperatures and well characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectrometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N-2 adsorption-desorption analysis. The as-prepared samples exhibit high electrocatalytic activities toward oxygen reduction reaction under alkaline conditions. Especially, the sample pyrolyzed at 800 degrees C exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity, stability and resistence for methanol corrosion compared with commercial Pt/C (20%) and exhibit a four-electron ORR pathway in alkaline condition. The catalyst also exhibits brilliant capacity of supercapacitor. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.