Synthesis of metal-organic framework-derived cobalt disulfide with high-performance oxygen reduction reaction catalytic properties

In this study, metal-organic framework (MOF) of ZIF-67 is utilized as a precursor to synthesize nitrogen-doped porous graphitized carbon-supported cobalt disulfide (CoS2@NC) catalyst. The CoS2@NC composite combines the advantages of CoS2 and N-doped carbon with excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic characteristics. For instance, the CoS2@NC catalyst exhibits an onset potential of −0.105V vs. Ag/AgCl, a half-wave potential of −0.172V and a diffusion-limited current density of 5.49mAcm−2, which are similar to commercial Pt/C with slight inferior difference of 24mV, 10mV and 0.38mAcm−2, respectively. However, the CoS2@NC shows better methanol tolerance and long-term durability than the Pt/C catalyst. The findings above demonstrate that a simple and efficient method is developed for the synthesis of MOF-derived carbon-supported metal sulfides for ORR electrocatalysts. [Display omitted] •CoS2 nanoparticles are synthesized in situ within nitrogen-doped porous carbon matrix.•The composite can replace Pt/C catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs).•N-doped CoS2 nanoparticles demonstrate superior ORR catalytic characteristics.•Effectively improve porous structure by vapor phase vulcanization process.