Bimetallic carbide of Co 3 W 3 C enhanced non-noble-metal catalysts with high activity and stability for acidic oxygen reduction reaction.

A bimetallic carbide enhanced nitrogen/phosphor co-doped graphite nanocomposite (Co 3 W 3 C/NPG) is proposed for the first time as a highly active and stable non-noble-metal catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The newly multi-component Co 3 W 3 C/NPG catalysts presented a high on-set potential of 0.92 V and little decreased half-wave potential of 5 mV after 8000 cycles in the O 2 -saturated 0.1 M HClO 4 electrolyte. The electron transfer number was calculated to be above 3.9 before and after 8000 cycles, indicating that the Co 3 W 3 C/NPG catalyst behaves as a steady 4e oxygen reductant in acidic medium.