Cobalt-based hydroxide nanoparticles @ N-doping carbonic frameworks core-shell structures as highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions

The development of highly efficient and earth-abundant oxygen evolution/ reduction reaction （OER/ORR） catalysts is essential for rechargeable metal-air batteries. Herein, cobalt-based hydroxide nanoparticles @ N-doping carbonic framework （CoOHCat@NCF） core-shell structures have been designed as highly stable and efficient OER/ORR bifunctional catalysts. The obtained composite shows enhanced catalytic activities and excellent stability in alkaline media. In the OER, a high turnover frequency （2.03 s^-1 at an overpotential of 0.36 V）, low overpotential at high current density （100 mA.cm-2 requiring an overpotential of 0.38 V）, and excellent stability （100 mA·cm^-2 for one week with no activity loss） have been achieved. Furthermore, although cobalt species-based catalysts are known as good ORR catalysts, their hybridization with NCF obtained from metal organic frameworks successfully enhanced their ORR activities. The efficient activity of CoOHCat@NCF as a bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst can be ascribed to the core-shell structures stabilizing the active catalytic sites and the porous shell structure favoring electrocatalysis-related mass transport.