Cobalt/nitrogen doped porous carbon as catalysts for efficient oxygen reduction reaction: Towards hybrid enzymatic biofuel cells

Electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) represents a crucial cathodic process of different fuel cells. The development highly active and stable noble metal-free ORR electrocatalysts remains as one major challenges. Herein, we report cobalt/nitrogen co-doped porous carbon materials (Co-N-C) originated from well-designed bimetal-organic frameworks (Zn100-xCox-ZIF) efficient in both pH-neutral alkaline solutions. compositional structural features, the corresponding activity can be tailored by tuning Zn/Co ratio precursor. Remarkable features large surface-area suitable graphitization degree well-dispersed Co-N-C moieties, enable high catalytic efficiency. optimized electrocatalyst registers considerable performance with half-wave potential 0.65 V vs RHE saturated current density 5.30 mA cm−2 close to value commercial Pt/C 0.1 M pH 7.0 PBS, along operational stability tolerance glucose. A preliminary one-compartment hybrid glucose/O2 enzymatic biofuel cell, consisting Co-N-C-10 abiotic cathode glucose oxidizing bioanode, is constructed tested. Furthermore, presents reasonable electrocatalytic condition.