GO clad Co3O4 (Co3O4@GO) as ORR catalyst of anion exchange membrane fuel cell

GO cladded Co3O4 (Co3O4@GO core/shell) was synthesized as ORR catalyst for anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC) by ultrasonic method. The obtained GO/Co3O4 was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Physical characterizations confirmed the obtained catalyst was composed of GO lamina (2 nm) shell and 10 nm Co3O4 nanoparticle core. The optimal content of GO was 5%. At the moment, its onset potential and polarized current density were identical with that of commercial 20% Pt/C catalyst. The limited current density for ORR reached 4.30 mA cm−2, which was smaller than that of 20% Pt/C (4.62 mA cm−2). The prepared Co3O4@GO/C catalyst behaved excellent cycle stability after 1000th cycle. The results indicated the prepared Co3O4@GO/C maybe a potential, efficient and low cost catalyst for ORR in AEMFC.