Single step pyrolytic conversion of zeolitic imidazolate to CoO encapsulated N-doped carbon nanotubes as an efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalyst

Efficient and noble metal-free electrocatalyst could enhance conceivably fuel cell's affordable commercialization. In this esteem, we developed CoO embedded N-doped CNTs from zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-12) by single step inert atmosphere calcination, to be used as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst. In the electrochemical studies performed, the CoO/N-CNTs has demonstrated an onset potential of 0.83 V vs. RHE, very close to the commercial Pt catalyst value, electron transfer number of 3.5 which approaches the theoretical value of 4 and current density of 3.35 mA cm − 2 at 2500 rmp. The excellent activity of the electrocatalyst is to be attributed to its waved-tubular structure casing CoO particles and to its high surface area as it was proved by TEM and gas adsorption analysis.