N-doped graphitic layer encased cobalt nanoparticles as efficient oxygen reduction catalysts in alkaline media.

Nitrogen doped graphitic layer encased cobalt (N-C@Co) nanoparticles, as novel non-precious-metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), were fabricated by a facile method using cyanamide and cobalt nitrate as precursors. The N-C@Co catalysts exhibited comparable catalytic performance, better stability and improved methanol tolerance towards the ORR than those of the commercial Pt/C catalyst.