Unlocking Bifunctional Electrocatalytic Performance of Co-MOF-Derived Catalysts for ORR and OER

Abstract

As the world is rapidly moving towards renewable energy technologies, the demand for efficient and cost-effective bifunctional catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is increasing. Metal-organic framework (MOF)-based catalysts possess tunable and hierarchical porous structures with high surface area, making them superior to noble metal catalysts for energy storage technologies due to their high catalytic activity and stability. In this study, we report a novel Co-N-C bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst synthesized by carbonizing single metal Co-MOF precursor TAL-2. The optimized Co-N-C material demonstrated superior ORR/OER bifunctional catalytic activity compared to the commercial Pt/C and RuO 2. The outcomes of this study highlight the considerable potential of utilizing a single metal Co-N-C catalyst as a facile precursor for the development of highly efficient electrocatalyst materials.