Mesoporous ruthenium metal organic framework core shell templated CdS/rGO nanosheets catalyst for efficient bifunctional electro-catalytic oxygen reactions

Abstract This paper presents the first report of the excellent bi-functional electro-catalytic activity and durability of a structure that consists of a highly active inner core of a ruthenium metal organic framework with a mesoporous silica based shell covered with templated CdS nanoparticle electro-catalysts and reduced graphene oxide nanosheets. Excellent electro-catalytic activity toward both the oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions is achieved by selecting a highly active core-shell of silica with CdS and rGO nanosheets as co-catalysts. In particular, the excellent catalytic activity of the 2 wt. % rGO/CdS/ silica nanocapsule catalyst for both reactions can be attributed to the large surface area and mesoporous nature, because they facilitate facile electrochemical activity, and lower the overpotentials and smaller Tafel values than other catalysts. In addition, it is more tolerant to methanol fuel crossover than commercial Pt/C, and exhibits long-term durability.