One-step synthesis of nitrogen-doped few-layer graphene structures decorated with Mn1.5Co1.5O4 nanoparticles for highly efficient electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

A nanocomposite consisting of nitrogen-doped few-layer graphene structures, the surface of which is decorated with nanocrystallites of Mn1.5Co1.5O4 spinel oxide, was prepared by a single-stage method of plasma-assisted electrochemical exfoliation of graphite in a solution of 1 M NaNO3 + 0.005 M MnSO4 + 0.005 M CoSO4 + 0.01 M melamine. The high catalytic activity of the synthesized catalyst in the oxygen reduction reaction is due to pyridine nitrogen atoms and Mn1.5Co1.5O4 spinel nanoparticles.