One-pot synthesis of Fe3O4/Fe/C by microwave sintering as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions

The Fe3O4/Fe/C catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) was prepared using a facile microwave sintering method. The Fe3O4/Fe/C electrode showed excellent electro catalytic ability on both ORR and OER in alkaline medium. The phase was characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The current density of the Fe/C electrode was 147 mA cm−2 at −0.2 V (vs. Hg/HgO) and 97 mA cm−2 at 0.7 V (vs. Hg/HgO) in 6 mol L−1 KOH electrolyte at room temperature. The mechanism of ORR and OER was explored by the AC impedance. •The Fe3O4/Fe/C catalyst was prepared using a facile microwave sintering method.•The Fe3O4/Fe/C electrode showed excellent catalytic ability towards ORR and OER.•The mechanism of ORR and OER was explored by the AC impedance.