Electronic modulation of PtCo catalysts by topological carbon defects boosting durable oxygen reduction reaction in acidic media

Pt-carbon materials are identified as state-of-the-art electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, it is still a big challenge to reduce the usage of Pt while maintaining the high efficiency and durability of the catalysts. Herein, we report a topologicallly defective nanoparticle carbon (DPC) supported PtCo nanoparticles (PtCo NPs) catalyst (denoted as PtCo-DPC) with a low Pt loading for efficient ORR. The topological carbon defects with a low work function can serve as anchoring sites to trap and stabilize PtCo NPs for driving ORR. Meanwhile, the presence of topological carbon defects leads to the electron structure regulation and the lattice contraction for the PtCo NPs. The prepared PtCo-DPC demonstrates an increased half-wave potential (E 1/2 , 0.85 V vs. RHE) with a low Pt loading (4.74 µg Pt cm -2 ) and delivers a superior mass activity (MA) with 1.02 A mg pt -1 . Furthermore, the PtCo-DPC maintains a high stability after 100,000 cycles of accelerated durability test (ADT).