Synthesis of Co₂P nanoparticles decorated nitrogen, phosphorus Co-doped Carbon-CeO₂ composites for highly efficient oxygen reduction

The oxygen reduction reaction is an important cathode reaction, thus seeking for low cost and high activity catalysts is highly demanded. Herein, a ternary catalyst composed of Co₂P nanoparticles, N and P co-doped carbon (NPC) and CeO₂ nanosheets (Co₂P-NPC-CeO₂) is reported for efficient oxygen reduction. In such composite, CeO₂ nanosheets are coated with a carbon layer derived from dopamine, and then decorated with Co₂P nanoparticles by using phytic acid as the phosphorus source. High ORR catalytic activity was achieved in the optimized sample with a high onset potential of 880 mV (vs RHE), a positive half-wave potential of 827 mV (vs RHE), a diffusion limited current density of 5.24 mA cm⁻², and a good durability (the half-wave potential exhibited almost 0 mV after 1000 cycles). Together with the good durability and methanol tolerance, the composite catalyst demonstrated here can be potentially applied in energy conversion devices. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.