Nanosheets/Mesopore Structured Co3O4@CMK‐3 Composite as an Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The exploration of highly effective and low‐cost non‐noble‐metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) will have a significant impact on the area of fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Here, we report a facile, efficient, and environmentally friendly method to deposit transition metal oxide nanosheets (NSs) on the backbone of ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK‐3) by the pyrolysis of the metal‐precursor@CMK‐3. The optimized CMK‐3 catalyst with a coating of Co3O4 NSs possesses a high surface area of 2396 m2 g−1 and demonstrates an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the ORR in alkaline media, which is much better than that of other transition metal oxide@CMK‐3 catalysts and other carbon‐based catalysts (such as carbon nanotubes). In addition, the as‐prepared catalyst possesses a comparable electrochemical performance and a superior durability and higher tolerance to methanol compared with commercially available Pt/C, which can be ascribed to the distinctive structure of the nanosheets and mesopores, indicative of potential applications in metal–air batteries. Between the nanosheets: We deposit Co3O4 nanosheets uniformly on the backbone of CMK‐3. The Co3O4 nanosheets not only fully contact the electrolyte solution but also lead to improved oxygenation because of the interconnected pores in the CMK‐3. Other metal oxides can also be deposited on the surface of carbon supports.