Metal-organic frameworks derived Co/N-doped carbon nanonecklaces as high-efficient oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts

Metal/carbon-based materials derived from metal-organic frameworks have recently attracted great attention for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts, but poor electrical conductivity and insufficient stability owing to granular structures, as well as low production hinder their practical applications. Herein, we design and synthesize Co nanoparticles decorated on N-doped carbon nanonecklaces (Co/N-CNNs) by way of electrospinning and following carbonization. The Co/N-CNNs hybrid exhibits excellent ORR performance with a positive half-wave potential (0.865 V) and a large limiting current density (5.35 mA cm−2), even comparable to those of Pt/C. Such superior electrocatalytic properties are attributed to the distinctive necklace-like structure, which supplies high specific surface area, hierarchical porous structure, well-dispersed and covered Co nanoparticles, and hierarchical architecture of N-doped carbon. This work provides an effective strategy to fabricate ORR electrocatalysts with well-designed structure and mass production via electrospinning.