Synthesis of Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Carbon Supported CoFe₂O₄ with Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalytic Properties

Fe₂Co-MOF is prepared through a simple hydrothermal reaction and calcination at 600^oC for 2 h under N₂ atmosphere. Then heating at 300^oC for 2 h under air, a new composite catalyst CoFe₂O₄@carbon nanorods (CoFe₂O₄@CNR) is obtained. The composite structure can effectively alleviate the agglomeration of metal particles, make transition metal nanoparticles uniformly dispersed on graphitized carbon under the action of non-covalent bonds. Compared with traditional spinel structure compound CoFe₂O₄, the CoFe₂O₄@CNR nanocomposite shows excellent oxygen reduction reaction performances with an onset potential of -0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl, a half-wave potential of -0.34 V, and a diffusion-limited current density of 5.05 mA.cm^-2, which are better than CoFe₂O₄ with obvious superior difference of 100 mV, 90 mV and 3.07 mA.cm^-2, respectively.