Co@Co3O4@PPD Core@bishell Nanoparticle-Based Composite as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Zhijuan Wang, Bing Li, Xiaoming Ge, F. W.Thomas Goh, Xiao Zhang, Guojun Du, Delvin Wuu, Zhaolin Liu, T. S. Andy Hor, Hua Zhang, Yun Zong

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

90 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Durable electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are crucial to high-performance primary zinc-air batteries (ZnABs) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). An efficient composite electrocatalyst, Co@Co3O4 core@shell nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in pyrolyzed polydopamine (PPD) is reported, i.e., in Co@Co3O4@PPD core@bishell structure, obtained via a three-step sequential process involving hydrothermal synthesis, high temperature calcination under nitrogen atmosphere, and gentle heating in air. With Co@Co3O4 NPs encapsulated by ultrathin highly graphitized N-doped carbon, the catalyst exhibits excellent stability in aqueous alkaline solution over extended period and good tolerance to methanol crossover effect. The integration of N-doped graphitic carbon outer shell and ultrathin nanocrystalline Co3O4 inner shell enable high ORR activity of the core@bishell NPs, as evidenced by ZnABs using catalyst of Co@Co3O4@PPD in air-cathode which delivers a stable voltage profile over 40 h at a discharge current density of as high as 20 mA cm-2. Co@Co3O4 core@shell nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in N-doped graphitic carbon matrix of pyrolyzed polydopamine (PPD), i.e., Co@Co3O4@PPD core@bishell structure are obtained. This material shows high oxygen reduction reaction activity. Consequently, it is used as a cathode catalyst in zinc-air batteries and delivers stable voltage profile over an extended period at a discharge current density of as high as 20 mA cm-2.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2580-2587
Number of pages8
JournalSmall
Volume12
Issue number19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 May 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • cobalt oxide
  • dopamine
  • nitrogen-doped carbon
  • oxygen reduction reaction
  • zinc-air batteries

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biomaterials
  • General Chemistry
  • General Materials Science

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