Nanocubic-Co3O4 coupled withnitrogen-dopedcarbonnanofiber network: Asynergisticbinder-freecatalysttowardoxygenreduction reactions

High-performance electrocatalysts with excellent catalytic activity and long durability competitive to Pt are urgently necessary for fuel cell development. Here, a novel self-standing membrane of nitrogen doped carbon nanofibers (NCNF) has been developed, acting as a three-dimensionally networked and conductive template for immobilization of electrochemically active Co(3)o(4) particles. Thus, nanocubic-CO3O4 coated NCNF (NCNF@Co3O4) composite fiber membrane with hierarchical structures is obtained, which subtly combines the synergistic effects between the electroactive nanocubic-Co3O4, efficient surface nitrogen doping and highly conductive NCNF network. Therefore, the NCNF@Co3O4 composite exhibits excellent catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reactions with positive Epeak potential, high current density and superior durability over the commercial Pt/C catalyst, being a promising noble metal-free catalyst for practical fuel cell applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.