Synthesis-Structure-Morphology Interplay of Bimetallic "Core-Shell" Carbon Nitride Nano-electrocatalysts

An extensive morphological and structural study of two bimetallic “core–shell” carbon nitride nano‐electrocatalysts with active sites based on Pt and Ni or on Pt and Fe is reported. The core–shell electrocatalysts are obtained by the pyrolysis of a precursor obtained by decorating a support composed of conducting particles with a hybrid inorganic–organic material. The electrocatalysts were investigated by high‐resolution TEM, powder X‐ray diffraction, and μ‐Raman spectroscopy. The morphological and structural information presented here provides 1) insight into the microscopic features, affecting the electrochemical performance of the electrocatalyst materials determined in both ex situ measurements and single‐cell configurations; and 2) an opportunity to study the effect of the different precursor chemistries on the structure and morphology of the bimetallic core–shell carbon nitride nano‐electrocatalysts. Power of two: Bimetallic “core–shell” carbon nitride oxygen reduction reaction nano‐electrocatalysts are investigated (see picture). A model is proposed to rationalize the morphology and structure of the electrocatalysts, and to interpret the electrochemical behavior and performance of the materials.