Well-organized Co-Ni@NC material derived from hetero-dinuclear MOFs as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction

We reported a novel Co-Ni@NC nanocatalysts derived from a new N-containing hetero-dinuclear Co-Ni-ZIF [CoNi(MIM)(2)]. The Co-Ni@NC alloy nanocatalysts showed well-defined frameworks and interconnected porous structure. Characterization results manifested that all elements were uniform distributed in catalysts. The CoNi alloy nanoparticles were wrapped by a highly ordered graphitic structure, leading to a high dispersion of metal active centres. When used as ORR catalysts, the optimal Co-Ni(1:1)@NC-900 showed the best catalytic activity, the activity of which were much higher than that of monometallic catalysts and almost equal to that of Pt/C catalysts. Moreover, it also showed an excellent stability and durability. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.