LAUSR

Abstract The exploration of cost-effective non-noble-metal electrocatalysts is highly imperative to replace the state-of-the-art platinum-based catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Here, we prepared cobalt phosphonate-derived N-doped cobalt phosphate/carbon nanotube hybrids (CoPiC-N/CNTs) by hydrothermal treatment of N-containing cobalt phosphonate and oxidized carbon nanotubes (o-CNT) followed by high-temperature calcination under nitrogen atmosphere. The resultant CoPiC-N/CNT exhibits a superior electrocatalytic performance for the ORR in alkaline media, which is equal to the commercial Pt/C catalyst in the aspect of half-wave potential, onset potential and diffuse limiting current density. Furthermore, the excellent tolerance to methanol and strong durability outperform those of commercial Pt/C. It is found that cobalt phosphonate-derived N-doped cobalt phosphate and the in-situ formed graphitic carbons play key roles on the activity enhancement. Besides, introducing a suitable amount of CNTs enhances the electronic conductivity and further contributes to the improved ORR performance.