Nonprecious Metal Bifunctional Catalysts for Oxygen Electrocatalysis Using a Metal‐Organic Framework

Green energy devices such as Zn‐air batteries require a highly active bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst. In this study, heat‐treated (HT) FeNi‐alloy nanoparticles embedded on a porous carbon matrix (FeNi‐MOF‐HTs) are prepared by annealing Fe‐ and Ni‐based metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs). FeNi‐MOF‐HTs exhibit an improved oxygen catalytic performance when compared with that of the catalysts derived from Fe‐only MOFs. The enhanced activities of the FeNi‐MOF‐HTs are attributed to their nanoscale size and an electronic interaction between Fe and Ni in the FeNi alloy. An optimized annealing temperature of 800°C provides porosity and promotes graphitization of the carbon matrix in FeNi‐MOF‐HTs. This work describes an effective strategy for the design of highly active bifunctional electrocatalysts.