Design of Co Nanoparticles‐Encapsulated by Boron and Nitrogen Co‐Doped Carbon Nanosheets as Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

In this paper, for the first time, a rationally designed strategy for synthesis of Co nanoparticles encapsulated by boron and nitrogen co‐doped carbon nanosheets (CNs), namely B, N‐Co/CNs, as highly efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is demonstrated. The generated Co nanoparticles not only create well‐defined heterointerfaces with high conductivity to overcome the poor ORR activity but also promote the formation of robust graphitic carbon. The co‐existence of boron and nitrogen atoms can increase the highest occupied molecular orbital energy of sp2 hybridization, activating π electrons in graphitic CNs, thereby enhancing the activity of the catalyst. The B, N‐Co/CNs exhibit a comparable half‐wave potential (E1/2 = 0.83 V) to that of commercial Pt/C catalyst (E1/2 = 0.85 V) with a larger current density for ORR. Importantly, the homemade disposable Zn‐air battery (ZAB) is able to deliver excellent performance, including a peak power density of 93.93 mW cm−2 and a specific capacity of 727.5 mAh g−1, outperforming the Pt/C catalyst. The findings highlight a new guideline for constructing B, N‐Co/CNs catalyst with a rationally designed structure toward superior property for advanced metal‐air cathode materials.

Surface Modulation of Fe3O4 Confined in Porous Molybdenum‐Based Nanoplatform for Enhanced Hydrogen Production

“…However, their scarcity and high cost greatly limit their large‐scale popularization. [ 7–10 ] To boost catalytic efficiency and lower cost, alternative materials free from noble metal or dominated by non‐noble metal components are prerequisites. Many and varied synthetic strategies such as doping, [ 11 ] phase modification, [ 12 ] incorporation of nanocarbon, [ 13 ] and polymeric materials [ 14 ] have been explored to modulate the catalytic performance.…”