From energetic cobalt pentazolate to cobalt@nitrogen-doped carbons as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction

Cyclopentazolate anions (cyclo-N₅ ⁻) have been receiving ever-increasing attention as component of energetic explosives since recent fulfilment of the first stable sample in solid phase and ambient conditions. Herein, we present a new strategy to utilize deflagration reactions of cobalt pentazolate in combination with explosive poly(ionic liquid) (EPIL) for the preparation of Co@N-doped carbon materials with homogeneously distributed cobalt nanoparticle encapsulated by the layers of N-doped carbon sheets. The resultant 5%Co (N₅)₂-EPIL-900 exhibits high electrocatalytic activities, excellent stability and tolerance to CH₃OH towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Moreover, the present approach provides a novel routine for preparation of functional materials from energetic and newly-emerging cyclo-N₅ ⁻-derived compounds.