A novel electrocatalyst based on Fe2Ni1 nanoparticles anchored nitrogen doped graphene nanosheets towards efficient oxygen reduction reaction

The fabrication of efficient and durable novel electrocatalysts using a facile and cheap way is a potential approach for real energy conversion technology. In this research, a novel nanohybrid based on iron nickel nanoparticles well attached on nitrogen doped graphene nanosheets (Fe2Ni1 NPs/N-Gr) was synthesized through a simple refluxing strategy followed by a calcination process. It was discovered that the material displayed good catalytic behavior for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline environment. The ORR kinetics of the material primarily occurred through a 4-electron transferred pathway consistent with high diffusion limit current density, excellent onset potential (−0.013 V) as well as half-wave potential (−0.065 V). Furthermore, the material showed good stability and outstanding methanol tolerance as compared to a commercial Pt/C catalyst. The resulting catalytic performance of the material was assumed to the synergistic effect from bimetallic Fe2Ni1 NPs and thin nitrogen doped graphene, which improved electroactive site numbers, promoted charge transfer ability, and adjusted adsorption energy for oxygen molecules. The results imply that such novel materials may be an effective and low-cost catalyst for ORR in energy conversion technology. [Display omitted] •Fe2Ni1 nanoparticles anchored nitrogen doped graphene is facilely synthesized.•The hybrid produces good catalytic performance towards ORR, relative to Pt/C.•Fe2Ni1 nanoparticles and nitrogen sites on graphene simultaneously enhance ORR.•The hybrid exhibits superior durability and methanol tolerance than Pt/C.