ZnCo-ZIF-based nanoarchitectonics of honeycomblike N-doped carbon for oxygen reduction reaction and supercapacitor

Nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) materials combined with transition metal nanocrystals are potential multifunctional materials for energy conversion and storage. Herein, zinc and cobalt doped zeolite imidazole frameworks (ZnCo-ZIF) were used as precursors for the synthesis of honeycomb-like NC. Due to the NaCl-assisted pyrolysis and selenylation, as-prepared honeycomb-like NC was well-distributed with ZnSe and Co nanocrystals. This unique morphology with abundant porous channels and wrinkles not only improves the dispersion and exposure of ZnSe and Co composites, but also facilitates mass and electron transfer. For oxygen reduction reaction, it exhibited a 0.976 V onset potential and a 0.923 V half-wave potential; and for supercapacitors, its specific capacitance was 915.9 F·g−1 at 1 A·g−1 in 2 M KOH. Thus, NaCl-assisted pyrolysis and selenylation can provide a feasible strategy for preparing high performance multifunctional materials. [Display omitted] •NaCl-assisted pyrolysis and selenylation of ZnCo-ZIF yield honeycomb-like NC.•Nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) is well-distributed with ZnSe and Co nanocrystals.•Abundant porous channels and wrinkles facilitate mass transfer and site exposure.•As prepared ZnSe/Co/NC exhibits excellent multifunctional performances.•ZnSe/Co/NC is desirable material for oxygen reduction reaction and supercapacitors.