Encapsulated NdCuOx bimetallic nanoparticles with nitrogen doped carbon as an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

Designing and preparing highly efficient non-precious metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline medium still remains a big challenge. In this study, we successfully prepared a series of NdCuOx@CN catalysts via encapsulating bimetallic NdCuOx nanoparticles into nitrogen doped carbon (CN), which combines the advantages of rare-earth-transition bimetallic oxides and CN. And we obtained an optimal ORR catalyst (NdCuOx@CN-1000) by exploring the ratio of NdCuOx to aniline in the precursors and carbonization temperature. The optimal NdCuOx@CN-1000 catalyst yields comparable ORR activity to commercial Pt/C catalyst and exhibits excellent stability as well as tolerance to methanol crossover. This excellent performance is attributable to the formation of encapsulated structure and CN composite. Simultaneously, synergistic effect between different components in the catalyst also boosts the ORR performance.