Facile synthesis of three-dimensional porous nitrogen doped carbon supported Co3O4 for oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction

A series of bifunctional electrocatalysts Co/NC-n (n = temperature) consist of three-dimensional (3D) porous nitrogen doped carbon supported Co3O4 via a super simple synthesis. Methyl red is selected as carbon and nitrogen precursor, cobalt (II) acetate as cobalt sources, and silicon sphere as hard-template. The presence of 3D Co3O4/N-doped macro/mesoporous carbon structure can be verified by TEM, XRD and XPS. The unique pore structure, strong confinement effect between Co3O4 core and N-graphitic shell and the high composition of pyridinic nitrogen doping endows Co/NC-800 catalyst excellent oxygen reduction reaction performance and improved oxygen evolution reaction activity to commercial Pt/C catalyst under alkaline environment.