Boosting oxygen reduction catalysis with Fe-N@ZnO codoped highly graphitized carbon derived from N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole-Induced bimetallic coordinated polymer

Fe-N catalysts are one of the promising candidates with efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activities comparable to Pt-based catalysts. Therefore, in this work, a novel Fe-N based electrocatalyst with high activity, porous structure, and durability were prepared. Highly active N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) was used to form zinc-based zeolitic imidazole frameworks involved with zinc carbonate (Zn-ZIFs@ZnCO3). Fe-doping can be feasibly achieved by partial substitution Zn by Fe using Fe (NO)(3). Owing to the presence of ZnCO3 and Fe3+, carbonization of Fe/Zn-ZIFs@ZnCO3 at 925 degrees C under N-2 atmosphere endows the pyrolysis products with many highly active heterostructures of 3D graphene structure. The obtained Fe-N@ZnO possesses superior ORR performance to commercial 20% PVC catalysts, such as positive half-wave potential (0.851 V), good durability and methanol tolerance in 0.1 M KOH.