A Robust Versatile Hybrid Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Identifying non-precious-metal catalysts with desirable overall performance for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in either acidic or basic media is still a bottleneck. Here, a hybrid material is reported, in which tungsten carbide (WC) and ferberite (FeWO₄) are attached to the Fe and N dual-doped ordered mesoporous carbon (WC-FeWO₄@FeN-OMC) as a superior performance catalyst for the ORR in either acidic or basic media. In comparison with the frequently used Pt/C ORR catalyst (20 wt. %), our hybrid materials exhibit comparable electrocatalytic activity mainly via a 4e ORR process, better stability, and total tolerance to methanol in either acidic or basic media. These advantages, especially the outstanding stability in acidic media, render the WC-FeWO₄@FeN-OMC as a promising potential non-precious-metal ORR catalyst in practical fuel cell applications.