Pd nanoparticles embedded in N-Enriched MOF-Derived architectures for efficient oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media

Developing high efficient Pd-based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is still challenging for alkaline membrane fuel cell, since the strong oxygen adsorption energy and easy agglomerative intrinsic properties. In order to simultaneously solve these problems, Pd/Co₃O₄–N–C multidimensional materials with porous structures is designed as the ORR catalysts. In details, the ZIF-67 with polyhedral structure was firstly synthesized and then annealed at high-temperature to prepare the N-doped Co₃O₄ carbon-based material, which was used to homogeneously confine Pd nanoparticles and obtained the Pd/Co₃O₄–N–C series catalysts. The formation of Co–N and C–N bond could provide efficient active sites for ORR. Simultaneously, the strong electronic interaction in the interface between the Pd and N-doped Co₃O₄ could disperse and avoid the agglomeration of Pd nanoparticles and ensure the exposure of active sites, which is crucial to lower the energy barrier toward ORR and substantially enhance the ORR kinetics. Hence, the Pd/Co₃O₄–N–C nanocompounds exhibited excellent ORR catalytic performance, ideal Pd mass activity, and durability in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ KOH solution compared with Co₃O₄–N–C and Pd/C. The scalable synthesis method, relatively low cost, and excellent electrochemical ORR performance indicated that the obtained Pd/Co₃O₄–N–C electrocatalyst had the potential for application on fuel cells.