Electrocatalytic performance of reduced graphene oxide supported nano-NiZnO2 for oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract Development of highly efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen reaction is of high importance for the commercialization of fuel cells. In the present study, we synthesized the hybrid of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) supported NiZnO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) as highly efficient non-precious-metal electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The NiZnO 2 NPs composed of ∼8 nm being relatively well distributed and strongly anchored on rGO. Electrochemical test reveals that the NiZnO 2 /rGO exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity towards ORR, in terms of positive onset potential (0.80 V), high cathode current density (3.49 × 10 −4 ), and low H 2 O 2 yield (about 2%). The mechanism analysis shows that it favors the 4-electron pathway for the reduction of oxygen. Furthermore, the NiZnO 2 /rGO exhibits excellent electrochemical performance in term of durability.