Cobalt and nitrogen-cofunctionalized graphene as a durable non-precious metal catalyst with enhanced ORR activity

We demonstrated a facile method to synthesize nanosheet-like cobalt-nitrogen-graphene (Co-N-GN) composites acting as a highly active non precious metal-based catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Polypyrrole/graphene oxide (PPy/GO) nanocomposites were first synthesized via in situ polymerization at room temperature. Then, cobalt(II) nitrate was directly incorporated into the PPy/GO hybrids via annealing heat treatment to generate Co-N-GN composites. The as-synthesized Co-N-GN composites exhibited an extraordinary electrocatalytic performance towards ORR comparable to commercial Pt/C, for instance, high onset potential, superior methanol tolerance, and excellent stability in alkaline medium, making them the state-of-the-art non-precious metal ORR electrocatalysts for electrochemical energy applications.