Efficient and Durable Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalyst Based on CoMn Alloy Oxide Nanoparticles Supported Over N-Doped Porous Graphene

Abstract

Transition metal oxide derived materials are very important for various applications, such as electronics, magnetism, catalysis, electrochemical energy conversion, and storage. Development of efficient and durable catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), an important reaction in fuel cells and metal–air batteries, is highly desirable. Moreover, the futuristic catalysts for these applications need to be cost-effective in order to ensure a competitive edge for these devices in the energy market. This article describes the synthesis of a cost-effective and efficient electrocatalyst for ORR. It is based on supporting CoMn alloy oxide nanoparticles on N-doped porous graphene through a simple and scalable microwave irradiation method. Microwave irradiation was found to be very crucial for the fast creation of pores in the graphene framework with a concomitant formation of the CoMn alloy oxide nanoparticles. A series of catalysts have been synthesized by varying the Co:Mn ratio, among which, the one wi...