A metal organic framework derived bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst
Oxygen electrocatalysis is of great importance for many energy storage and conversion technologies, including fuel cells, metal air batteries and water electrolysis. Replacing noble metal based electrocatalysts with highly efficient and inexpensive non noble metal based oxygen electrocatalysts is critical for the practical applications of these technologies. Here we report a general approach for the synthesis of hollow frameworks of nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes derived from metal organic frameworks, which exhibit higher electrocatalytic activity and stability for oxygen reduction and evolution than commercial Pt/C electrocatalysts. The remarkable electrochemical properties are mainly attributed to the synergistic effect from chemical compositions and the robust hollow structure composed of interconnected crystalline nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes. The presented strategy for controlled design and synthesis of metal organic framework derived functional nanomaterials offers prospects in developing highly active electrocatalysts in electrochemical energy devices. Precious metals are efficient oxygen electrocatalysts but suffer from poor stability and high cost. Now, nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes derived from metal organic frameworks are shown to have activity and durability comparable to that of Pt/C catalysts.