Enhanced Electrocatalytic Performance of Self-supported AuCuCo for Oxygen Reduction and Evolution Reactions

•Au-based catalyst as bi-functional catalyst for ORR and OER was reported firstly.•The three dimensional self-supported AuCuCo was synthesized in one step.•AuCuCo exhibits excellent catalytic activity and stability for ORR and OER.

The sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have been one of the bottlenecks hindering the commercial application of rechargeable metal-air batteries. This report describes the viability of synthesis of self-supported Au-based alloy (AuCuCo) by a facile one-pot hydrothermal method and their use as highly efficient catalysts for ORR and OER. The obtained AuCuCo exhibits comparable electrocatalytic activity and better stability toward both the ORR and OER in alkaline media as compared with commercial Pt/C and IrO2/C catalyst. The improved electrocatalytic activity of AuCuCo is attributed to its unique three-dimensional nanostructure, the abundance of twin crystals, and change in the electronic structure of Au by alloying.

Graphical abstractAu-based alloy as bi-functional electrocatalyst for ORR and OER is reported for the first time. The as-synthesized AuCuCo exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability toward both the ORR and OER. The improved electrocatalytic activity of AuCuCo is attributed to its unique 3D nanostructure, the abundance of twin crystals and change in the electronic structure of Au by alloying.Download high-res image (225KB)Download full-size image