MOF-derived Co/Cu-embedded N-doped carbon for trifunctional ORR/OER/HER catalysis in alkaline media.

In this report, we demonstrate a bimetallic Co/Cu-embedded N-doped carbon structure for trifunctional catalysis of oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions in alkaline media. A hybrid catalyst synthesized through a metal-organic framework-based process (M-NC-CoCu) enables an active trifunctional catalysis due to its multi-faceted favorable characteristics. It is believed that a range of catalytically active sites are formed through the approach including well-dispersed tiny CuCo2O4 phases, a high concentration of pyridinic and graphitic N, and Cu-Ox, Cu-Nx and Co-Nx moieties. In addition, a high-surface-area morphology with a high concentration of sp2 bonding, which is beneficial for facilitated electron conduction, further contributes to the performance as an electrocatalyst.