Cobalt-based ZIF-68 and ZIF-69 as the precursors of non-platinum electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction

We report the microwave-assisted synthesis of Co-based ZIF-68 and ZIF-69 zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, which were enriched with iron(ii) acetate and 1,10-phenanthroline and then pyrolyzed to form heterogeneous catalysts. The materials demonstrated high activity in oxygen reduction and suitability as Pt-free catalysts for low-temperature fuel cells.