Modular development of metal oxide/carbon composites for electrochemical energy conversion and storage

Abstract

We report a convergent, modular materials design strategy, which gives access to multifunctional metal oxide/carbon composites for high-performance electrocatalysis and electrochemical energy storage. The materials design uses the thermal conversion of a metal organic framework (ZIF-67) functionalized with molecular vanadium oxide clusters ([V₁₀O₂₈]⁶⁻) to give a nanostructured composite where redox-active crystalline Co–V–oxide nanoparticles (∼5 nm) are firmly embedded in a high surface-area N-doped graphitic carbon matrix. The composite shows high activity, efficiency and stability for the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline conditions. In addition, proof of concept studies show fast and reversible Li storage behavior. Based on this new materials design principle, the divergent fields of electrocatalysis and battery materials design could be linked to enable a more efficient, converging materials design approach.