Combined effects of transition metal nitrogen and graphene nanoribbon edge active sites on the oxygen reduction reaction catalytic performance of metal-N-carbon-based catalysts.

Metal-nitrogen-carbon (metal-N-C)-based catalysts with optimized local and external structures have received considerable attention owing to their improved activity and stability for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells. Abundant well-defined active sites on catalysts effectively enhance ORR performances. Herein, the Fe/Co-nitrogen-carbon-graphene nanoribbons (Fe/Co-N-C-GNRs) hybrids were obtained through the growth of Fe/zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 particles on the surface of graphene oxide nanoribbons.

Fe/Co/N-C/graphene derived from Fe/ZIF-67/graphene oxide three dimensional frameworks as a remarkably efficient and stable catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction.

The development of non-noble metal catalysts with high-performance, long stability and low-cost is of great importance for fuel cells, to promote the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, Fe/Co/N-C/graphene composites were easily prepared by using Fe/ZIF-67 loaded on graphene oxide (GO). The Fe/Co/porous carbon nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on graphene with high specific surface area and large porosity, which endow high nitrogen doping and many more active sites with better ORR performance than the commercial 20 wt% Pt/C.