Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2018)

Novel Co3O4 Nanoparticles/Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Composites with Extraordinary Catalytic Activity for Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER)

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-017-0170-4
Xiaobing Yang
College of Ecology and Resource Engineering, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
Juan Chen
Department of Pharmacy, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
Yuqing Chen
Fujian Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
Pingjing Feng
Fujian Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
Huixian Lai
Fujian Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
Jintang Li
Fujian Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
Xuetao Luo
Fujian Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Xuetao Luo

xuetao@xmu.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 10 No. 1 (2018), Article Number: 15

Abstract

Herein, Co3O4 nanoparticles/nitrogen-doped carbon (Co3O4/NPC) composites with different structures were prepared via a facile method. Structure control was achieved by the rational morphology design of ZIF-67 precursors, which were then pyrolyzed in air to obtain Co3O4/NPC composites. When applied as catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the M-Co3O4/NPC composites derived from the flower-like ZIF-67 showed superior catalytic activities than those derived from the rhombic dodecahedron and hollow spherical ZIF-67. The former M-Co3O4/NPC composite displayed a small over-potential of 0.3 V, low onset potential of 1.41 V, small Tafel slope of 83 mV dec−1, and a desirable stability. (94.7% OER activity was retained after 10 h.) The excellent performance of the flower-like M-Co3O4/NPC composite in the OER was attributed to its favorable structure.


Highlights:


1 Co3O4 nanoparticles/nitrogen-doped carbon (Co3O4/NPC) composites were successfully fabricated from zeolitic imidazolate framework 67 (ZIF-67), and the composite structure could be well controlled by adjusting the structure of ZIF-67.
2 M-Co3O4/NPC composites derived from flower-like ZIF-67 showed the highest activities for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).

Keywords

Co3O4 nanoparticles Nitrogen-doped carbon ZIF-67 Catalytic Oxygen evolution reaction (OER)
Yang, Xiaobing, Juan Chen, Yuqing Chen, Pingjing Feng, Huixian Lai, Jintang Li, and Xuetao Luo. 2017. “Novel Co3O4 Nanoparticles/Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Composites With Extraordinary Catalytic Activity for Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER)”. Nano-Micro Letters 10 (1):15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-017-0170-4.
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
References
  1. M. Winter, R.J. Brodd, What are batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors? Chem. Rev. 105(3), 1021 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1021/cr040110e
  2. S. Chu, A. Majumdar, Opportunities and challenges for a sustainable energy future. Nature 488(7411), 294–303 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11475
  3. P. Zhang, J.J. Zhang, J.L. Gong, Tantalum-based semiconductors for solar water splitting. Chem. Soc. Rev. 43(13), 4395–4422 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1039/c3cs60438a
  4. J.S. Liang, K.Y. Liu, S.Z. Li, D.Z. Wang, T.Q. Ren, X.Y. Xu, Y. Luo, Novel flow field with superhydrophobic gas channels prepared by one-step solvent-induced crystallization for micro direct methanol fuel cell. Nano-Micro Lett. 7(2), 165–171 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-015-0032-x
  5. T.W. Kim, K.S. Choi, Nanoporous BiVO4 photoanodes with dual-layer oxygen evolution catalysts for solar water splitting. Science 343(6174), 990–994 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1246913
  6. M. Zhang, M. de Respinis, H. Frei, Time-resolved observations of water oxidation intermediates on a cobalt oxide nanoparticle catalyst. Nat. Chem. 6(4), 362–367 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/Nchem.1874
  7. K. Guo, Y. Li, J. Yang, Z.Q. Zou, X.Z. Xue, X.M. Li, H. Yang, Nanosized Mn–Ru binary oxides as effective bifunctional cathode electrocatalysts for rechargeable LiO2 batteries. J. Mater. Chem. A 2(5), 1509–1514 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ta13176a
  8. G.L. Tian, M.Q. Zhao, D.S. Yu, X.Y. Kong, J.Q. Huang, Q. Zhang, F. Wei, Nitrogen-doped graphene/carbon nanotube hybrids: in situ formation on bifunctional catalysts and their superior electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution/reduction reaction. Small 10(11), 2251–2259 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.201303715
  9. A.R. Parent, K. Sakai, Progress in base-metal water oxidation catalysis. Chemsuschem 7(8), 2070–2080 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.201402322
  10. K. Jin, J. Park, J. Lee, K.D. Yang, G.K. Pradhan et al., Hydrated manganese(II) phosphate (Mn-3(PO4)(2)center dot 3H(2)O) as a water oxidation catalyst. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136(20), 7435–7443 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1021/ja5026529
  11. M. Gong, Y.G. Li, H.L. Wang, Y.Y. Liang, J.Z. Wu et al., An advanced Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide electrocatalyst for water oxidation. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 135(23), 8452–8455 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1021/ja4027715
  12. R. Subbaraman, D. Tripkovic, K.C. Chang, D. Strmcnik, A.P. Paulikas et al., Trends in activity for the water electrolyser reactions on 3d M(Ni Co, Fe, Mn) hydr(oxy)oxide catalysts. Nat. Mater. 11(6), 550–557 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/NMAT3313
  13. M. Xing, L.B. Kong, M.C. Liu, L.Y. Liu, L. Kang, Y.C. Luo, Cobalt vanadate as highly active, stable, noble metal-free oxygen evolution electrocatalyst. J. Mater. Chem. A 2(43), 18435–18443 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1039/c4ta03776f
  14. D. Phihusut, J.D. Ocon, B. Jeong, J.W. Kim, J.K. Lee, J. Lee, Gently reduced graphene oxide incorporated into cobalt oxalate rods as bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst. Electrochim. Acta 140(27), 404–411 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2014.05.050
  15. T.L. Wee, B.D. Sherman, D. Gust, A.L. Moore, T.A. Moore, Y. Liu, J.C. Scaiano, Photochemical synthesis of a water oxidation catalyst based on cobalt nanostructures. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 133(42), 16742–16745 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1021/ja206280g
  16. H.X. Zhao, Z. Zheng, J. Li, H.M. Jia, K.W. Wong, Y.D. Zhang, W.M. Lau, Substitute of expensive Pt with improved electrocatalytic performance and higher resistance to CO poisoning for methanol oxidation: the case of synergistic Pt-Co3O4 nanocomposite. Nano-Micro Lett. 5(4), 296–302 (2013). https://doi.org/10.5101/nml.v5i4.p296-302
  17. Y.J. Sa, K. Kwon, J.Y. Cheon, F. Kleitz, S.H. Joo, Ordered mesoporous Co3O4 spinels as stable, bifunctional, noble metal-free oxygen electrocatalysts. J. Mater. Chem. A 1(34), 9992–10001 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ta11917c
  18. T. Grewe, X.H. Deng, C. Weidenthaler, F. Schuth, H. Tuysuz, Design of ordered mesoporous composite materials and their electrocatalytic activities for water oxidation. Chem. Mater. 25(24), 4926–4935 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1021/cm403153u
  19. X. Leng, Q.C. Zeng, K.H. Wu, I.R. Gentle, D.W. Wang, Reduction-induced surface amorphization enhances the oxygen evolution activity in Co3O4. RSC Adv. 5(35), 27823–27828 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1039/c5ra00995b
  20. A. Bergmann, E. Martinez-Moreno, D. Teschner, P. Chernev, M. Gliech, J.F. de Araujo, T. Reier, H. Dau, P. Strasser, Reversible amorphization and the catalytically active state of crystalline Co3O4 during oxygen evolution. Nat. Commun. 6, 8625 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/Ncomms9625
  21. Y. Zhao, R. Nakamura, K. Kamiya, S. Nakanishi, K. Hashimoto, Nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterials as non-metal electrocatalysts for water oxidation. Nat. Commun. 4, 2390 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/Ncomms3390
  22. T.C. Nagaiah, A. Bordoloi, M.D. Sanchez, M. Muhler, W. Schuhmann, Mesoporous nitrogen-rich carbon materials as catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline solution. Chemsuschem 5(4), 637–641 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.201100284
  23. K.P. Gong, F. Du, Z.H. Xia, M. Durstock, L.M. Dai, Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube arrays with high electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction. Science 323(5915), 760–764 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1168049
  24. Y.Y. Liang, Y.G. Li, H.L. Wang, J.G. Zhou, J. Wang, T. Regier, H.J. Dai, Co3O4 nanocrystals on graphene as a synergistic catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction. Nat. Mater. 10(10), 780–786 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/NMAT3087
  25. P. Chen, T.Y. Xiao, Y.H. Qian, S.S. Li, S.H. Yu, A nitrogen-doped graphene/carbon nanotube nanocomposite with synergistically enhanced electrochemical activity. Adv. Mater. 25(23), 3192–3196 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201300515
  26. Y. Wei, X.Y. Zhang, Z.Y. Luo, D. Tang, C.X. Chen, T. Zhang, Z.L. Xie, Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube-supported Pd catalyst for improved electrocatalytic performance toward ethanol electrooxidation. Nano-Micro Lett. 9(3), 28 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-017-0129-5
  27. J.S. Lee, G.S. Park, S.T. Kim, M.L. Liu, J. Cho, A highly efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction: N-doped ketjenblack incorporated into Fe/Fe3C-functionalized melamine foam. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 52(3), 1026–1030 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201207193
  28. R. Silva, D. Voiry, M. Chhowalla, T. Asefa, Efficient metal-free electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction: polyaniline-derived N- and O-doped mesoporous carbons. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 135(21), 7823–7826 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1021/ja402450a
  29. J.T. Zhang, Z.H. Zhao, Z.H. Xia, L.M. Dai, A metal-free bifunctional electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions. Nat. Nanotechnol. 10(5), 444–452 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/Nnano.2015.48
  30. G. Wu, K.L. More, C.M. Johnston, P. Zelenay, High-performance electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction derived from polyaniline, iron, and cobalt. Science 332(6028), 443–447 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1200832
  31. J. Du, F.Y. Cheng, S.W. Wang, T.R. Zhang, J. Chen, M(Salen)-derived nitrogen-doped M/C (M = Fe Co, Ni) porous nanocomposites for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction. Sci. Rep. 4, 4368 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/Srep04386
  32. Y.Q. Chen, J.T. Li, G.H. Yue, X.T. Luo, Novel Ag@nitrogen-doped porous carbon composite with high electrochemical performance as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Nano-Micro Lett. 9(3), 32 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-017-0131-y
  33. C. Li, T. Chen, W. Xu, X. Lou, L. Pan, Q. Chen, B. Hu, Mesoporous nanostructured Co3O4 derived from MOF template: a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries. J. Mater. Chem. A 3(10), 5585–5591 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1039/c4ta06914e
  34. H.Z. Liu, G.L. Xia, R.R. Zhang, P. Jiang, J.T. Chen, Q.W. Chen, MOF-derived RuO2/Co3O4 heterojunctions as highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for HER and OER in alkaline solutions. RSC Adv. 7(7), 3686–3694 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1039/c6ra25810g
  35. R.P. Antony, A.K. Satpati, K. Bhattacharyya, B.N. Jagatap, MOF derived nonstoichiometric NixCo3−xO4−y nanocage for superior electrocatalytic oxygen evolution. Adv. Mater. Interfaces 3(20), 1600632 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.201600632
  36. F.W. Ming, H.F. Liang, H.H. Shi, X. Xu, G. Mei, Z.C. Wang, MOF-derived Co-doped nickel selenide/C electrocatalysts supported on Ni foam for overall water splitting. J. Mater. Chem. A 4(39), 15148–15155 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1039/c6ta06496e
  37. A.R. Millward, O.M. Yaghi, Metal-organic frameworks with exceptionally high capacity for storage of carbon dioxide at room temperature. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127(51), 17998–17999 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1021/ja0570032
  38. T. He, D.R. Chen, X.L. Jiao, Y.L. Wang, Y.Z. Duan, Solubility-controlled synthesis of high-quality Co3O4 nanocrystals. Chem. Mater. 17(15), 4023–4030 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1021/cm050727s
  39. X.Z. Li, Y.Y. Fang, X.Q. Lin, M. Tian, X.C. An, Y. Fu, R. Li, J. Jin, J.T. Ma, MOF derived Co3O4 nanoparticles embedded in N-doped mesoporous carbon layer/MWCNT hybrids: extraordinary bi-functional electrocatalysts for OER and ORR. J. Mater. Chem. A 3(33), 17392–17402 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1039/c5ta03900b
  40. X.M. Zhou, Z.M. Xia, Z.M. Tian, Y.Y. Ma, Y.Q. Qu, Ultrathin porous Co3O4 nanoplates as highly efficient oxygen evolution catalysts. J. Mater. Chem. A 3(15), 8107–8114 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1039/c4ta07214f
  41. X.Y. Lu, C. Zhao, Highly efficient and robust oxygen evolution catalysts achieved by anchoring nanocrystalline cobalt oxides onto mildly oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. J. Mater. Chem. A 1(39), 12053–12059 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ta12912h
  42. S. Mao, Z.H. Wen, T.Z. Huang, Y. Hou, J.H. Chen, High-performance bi-functional electrocatalysts of 3D crumpled graphene-cobalt oxide nanohybrids for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions. Energy Environ. Sci. 7(2), 609–616 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ee42696c
  43. X.Y. Lu, Y.H. Ng, C. Zhao, Gold nanoparticles embedded within mesoporous cobalt oxide enhance electrochemical oxygen evolution. Chemsuschem 7(1), 82–86 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.201300975
  44. C.Z. Zhu, D. Wen, S. Leubner, M. Oschatz, W. Liu, M. Holzschuh, F. Simon, S. Kaskel, A. Eychmuller, Nickel cobalt oxide hollow nanosponges as advanced electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. Chem. Commun. 51(37), 7851–7854 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1039/c5cc01558h
  45. Y. Lee, J. Suntivich, K.J. May, E.E. Perry, Y. Shao-Horn, Synthesis and activities of rutile IrO2 and RuO2 nanoparticles for oxygen evolution in acid and alkaline solutions. J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 3(3), 399–404 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1021/jz2016507
Read More
Author biographies are not available.
Download this PDF file
PDF SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
Statistic
Read Counter : 5811 Download : 4407