Metal-organic-framework-derived FeCo alloy core@nitrogen-doped carbon shell nanoparticles anchored on carbon nanotubes for rechargeable LiO2 battery

Effective FeCo alloy core@nitrogen-doped carbon shell nanoparticles anchored on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized through the pyrolysis of a metal-organic framework (Fe/Co) with CNTs and were investigated for the first time as bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction/evolution reactions. The catalyst pyrolyzed at 600 °C affords excellent bifunctional catalytic activity with a ΔE(EOER@10 mA cm−2-EORR@-1 mA cm−2) gap of 0.79 V in an alkaline electrolyte, a first discharge/charge specific capacity of more than 5000 mAh gcat−1 at a constant current density of 100 mA gcat−1 in LiO2 battery.