Zn()-MOF derived N-doped carbons achieve marked ORR activity in alkaline and acidic media

A highly efficient metal-free N-doped carbon electrocatalyst toward oxygen reduction was obtained by one-pot pyrolysis of a single Zn( ii )-MOF with mixed azolate and terephthalate ligands, demonstrating E 1/2 of 0.88 V ( vs. RHE) in 0.1 M KOH, and 0.79 V ( vs. RHE) in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 . It represents one of the best metal-free N-doped carbon electrocatalysts for the acidic ORR. Simple pyrolysis of a single Zn( ii )-MOF-mix with mixed azolate and terephthalate ligands produced a superior metal-free N-doped carbon electrocatalyst toward oxygen reduction in both alkaline and acidic solutions.