In Situ Self-Supporting Cobalt Embedded in Nitrogen-Doped Porous Carbon as Efficient Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts

A facile two-step chemical route using cobalt ions coordinated with EDTA (Co-II/EDTA chelate complex supported on glucose mixture), followed by the in situ pyrolysis process, from 500 to 900 degrees C, was developed to prepare Co embedded in N-doped porous carbon hybrids (Co@C-T). The EDTA chelating agent served as both the N source and pore former. The physicochemical characterization results revealed that the pore structure, graphitization degree, and relative content of active centers, e. g., cobalt-based components and nitrogen species, for Co@C-T electrocatalysts, were tailored by controlling the temperature of pyrolysis. The optimized material generated at 600 degrees C (Co@C-600), showed an excellent oxygen reduction reaction activity with an onset potential of 0.91 V vs. RHE, and a half-wave potential of 0.80 V vs. RHE. In addition, the Co@C-600 catalyst showed superior durability and stability compared to the benchmark Pt/C.