Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Co3O4/Au Heterostructure as a Catalyst for Efficient Oxygen Reduction

Porous nanostructures with a yolk–shell complex interior will provide lots of virtues to construct advanced catalysts. In our work, the preparation of novel yolk–shell Au nanocrystal-loaded Co3O4 nanocages (Co3O4/Au heterostructure) from a metal–organic framework-derived composite was reported. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and so forth were used to analyze the morphology, structure, and composition of the heterostructures. Most importantly, Co3O4/Au heterostructures are a kind of low-cost, good performance catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction to replace the noble-Pt catalysts. The high surface area of the porous structure and the excellent electron transfer properties of well-dispersed Au nanocrystals and also the electronic coupling effect between Co3O4 and Au in the composites are attributed to the good performance.