Introduction of a new active and stable cathode catalyst based on bimetal-organic frameworks/PPy-sheet for alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell

For the first time, the polypyrrole (PPy) with a sheet-like structure was synthesized by a high-efficiency and facile chemical reaction process. A new composite with the growth of bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate frameworks on polypyrrole sheet-like (BMZIF@PPy) was synthesized. Then, the BMZIF@PPy composite by different heat-treatment temperatures is applied to make oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts. Electrochemical measurements perform to investigate the ORR properties in both acidic and alkaline media. The onset potential and the limiting current density for the Cobalt/Zinc-nanocarbon@polypyrrole pyrolysis at 800 °C (Co/Zn-NC@PPy-800) were 0.977 V RHE and 4.99 mA cm −2 in 0.1 M KOH and 0.85V RHE and 5.48 mA cm −2 in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 . Finally, due to the good activity and stability in alkaline media, the Co/Zn-NC@PPy-800 electrocatalyst is used as the cathode in an alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell. The maximum power of the Co/Zn-NC@PPy-800 cathode catalyst was 77% higher than that of the commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst. • Growth of bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate frameworks on polypyrrole sheet-like. • Pyrolyzed ZIF/PPy Composite as a precursor for ORR electrocatalyst. • Low-cost electrocatalysts with high activity and excellent stability for ADEFC.