Facile synthesis of FeCo@NC core–shell nanospheres supported on graphene as an efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst

Abstract

Electrocatalytic conversion of oxygen holds great potential for clean energy technologies, including water electrolysis, regenerative fuel cells, and rechargeable metal-air batteries. The development of highly efficient and inexpensive oxygen electrocatalysts as replacements for precious metal-based catalysts is vitally important for large-scale practical application in the future. A bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst based on FeCo nanoparticles/N-doped carbon core–shell spheres supported on N-doped graphene sheets was prepared via one-step pyrolysis of graphitic carbon nitride and acetylacetonates. The optimized product exhibited an oxygen electrode activity of 0.87 V and excellent durability. The remarkable performance is mainly attributed to the synergetic effect arising from the FeCo nanoparticles and N-doped carbon shell. This study introduces an inexpensive and simple way to develop highly active bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts.