A series
of cobalt-based multicomponent electrocatalysts (Co-Cat-T) for the
oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were synthesized by thermal pyrolysis
of activated carbon-supported cobalt and melamine mixture from 500
to 800 °C. Their corresponding electrocatalytic performance was
systematically investigated toward ORR in an alkaline electrolyte.
The electrocatalyst chemical composition and structure evolution (e.g.,
microstrain, crystallite size, and cell volume) were confirmed by
X-ray diffraction Rietveld analyses. The material generated at 550 °C
(Co-Cat-T550) showed the largest cell volume of the C3N4 phase with a crystallite size of 4.1 ± 0.1 nm. Independent
of the heat-treatment temperature, the cobalt atom was coordinated
to nitrogen moieties. The following findings: cobalt inserted in the
carbon nitride framework (Co-g-C3N4), abundant
Co-N
x
and pyridinic-N species, unique
encapsulated cross-tubular structure, and disordered carbon domains
performed better in the ORR with Co-Cat-T550 among the obtained electrocatalysts.
In addition, Co-Cat-T550 showed performance comparable to Pt/C in
an alkaline hydrogen/oxygen microfuel cell platform.
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