Synthesis of NiCo Alloy Nanoparticle-Decorated B,N-Doped Carbon Nanosheet Networks via a Self-Template Strategy for Bifunctional Oxygen-Involving Reactions

Developing nonprecious metal catalysts for oxygen electrocatalysis is vital for next-generation energy conversion devices. Herein, a uniform distribution of NiCo alloy nanoparticles wrapped by B,N-codoped carbon nanosheet networks (core–shell structure) through a novel self-template strategy is developed (designated as NiCo@BNC). The optimal NiCo@BNC prepared at 800 °C (NiCo@BNC-800) shows an outstanding bifunctional ORR/OER activity with an extremely small potential difference of 0.61 V between EORR1/2 and EOER10, which is the best record so far. Theoretical calculation reveals reaction intermediates were liable to absorbed to B sites, and Gibbs free energetics (ΔG) of NiCo@BNC-800 are more close to the ideal pathway. This facile and general strategy provides a promising avenue for rational design of transition-metal compounds for oxygen-involving reactions.