Hierarchically porous core-shell ZIF-derived cobalt/nitrogen co-doped hollow carbons for enhanced oxygen reduction

The high demand for enhanced electrochemical performance can be effectively addressed by optimizing the pore structure to increase specific surface area and the exposure of active sites. In this study, we present a novel approach to synthesize a series of MOF-derived carbon materials, Co@MNCs, featuring a mesoporous hollow structure. Due to their hierarchically porous architecture and the incorporation of Co and N atoms, the synthesized catalysts achieve a high specific surface area and improved mass transfer capabilities. Notably, Co@MNC-20 demonstrates an outstanding half-wave potential of 0.87 V vs. RHE for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), higher than the performance of commercial Pt/C electrodes. Furthermore, Co@MNC-20 exhibits excellent durability, with only an 8-mV reduction in half-wave potential after 10,000 CV cycles. This innovative strategy provides an effective method for designing mesoporous materials with superior ORR performance. • A new lattice-match-growth method is proposed to prepare mesoporous carbon. • Co/N co-doped mesoporous hollow structure Co@MNC-20 is synthesized. • The mesoporous structure enhances the mass and charge transfer. • The Co@MNC-20 exhibits superior ORR activity and outstanding stability.