LAUSR

The development of cathode materials with high cost-effectiveness, reliable performance, and good oxygen reduction activity are important to develop the next generation rechargeable metal-air battery system. Herein, we have developed a novel technique for synthesizing a catalyst with superior activity and durability for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Porous carbon with doped Cu nanoparticles was prepared by pyrolyzing Cu-containing ZIF-67 (Cu/ZIF-67). The findings show that Cu0.5%/Co-NC-900 exhibits superior ORR performance with an onset potential (Eo) of 0.98 V and a half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.85 V, superior to all other prepared as well commercial Pt/C (20 wt.%, Eo 0.96 V and E1/2 0.82 V) catalysts in an alkaline solution. The excellent ORR performance of Cu0.5%/Co-NC-900 is due to the synergistic contribution to gradual mass transfer of Cu, Co and N doping structure, high pyridine content, and porous multilayer structure. This novel and rational metal doping strategy will dramatically enhance electrocatalyst operation and provide a template for new metal-doped porous carbon or catalyst designs.