Sandwich-like superstructure of in-situ self-assembled hetero-structured carbon nanocomposite for improving electrocatalytic oxygen reduction

Developing efficient and highly low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is highly desirable and challenging for renewable energy devices. In this work, a novel sandwich-like heterostructured nanocomposite was facilely constructed via incorporation of Co9S8 nanoclusters/Co-3[Co(CN)(6)](2) nanocubes in N,S-doped carbon multilayers (Co9S8/Co-3[Co(CN)(6)](2)/N,S-CMLs) by a one-pot coordination-modulated pyrolysis of a mixture containing dicyandiamide, Co(NO3)(2 a)nd Evans blue at 800 & DEG;C. The control tests demonstrated critical roles of the pyrolysis temperature played on the final morphology and shape, and discussed the formation mechanism in detail. The as-prepared catalyst exhibited appealing electrocatalytic performance for ORR with a more positive onset potential (E-onset = 0.96 V vs. RHE) and half-wave potential (E-1/2 = 0.87 V vs. RHE) in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte, far outperforming other home-made catalysts and commercial Pt/C. This work opens a new avenue to prepare efficient, costeffectiveness and stable electrocatalysts in sustainable energy storage and conversion devices.(C) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study develops a novel sandwich-like heterostructured nanocomposite, which exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The control tests demonstrate the critical role of pyrolysis temperature in determining the final morphology and shape of the nanocomposite.