In this study, PtCo alloy nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized and deposited on nitrogen-rich carbon nanosheets derived from Polypyrrole-g-C3N4 using a chemical reduction method. This electrocatalyst not only offers enhanced catalytic efficiency but also significantly improves the stability for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in in acidic medium. In terms of electrocatalytic performance, the PtCo/CN@PPY-g-C3N4 catalyst demonstrated a mass activity of 0.378 mA µgPt−1 at 0.85 V, 0.131 mA µgPt−1 at 0.9 V and a specific activity of 2.900 mA cmPt−2 at 0.85 V, 1.004 mA cmPt−2 at 0.9 V which are respectively 2.3, 2.8 and 10, 12 times higher than those of a commercial 20% Pt/C catalyst (0.166 mA µgPt−1 at 0.85 V, 0.046 mA µgPt−1 at 0.9 V and 0.285 mA cmPt−2 at 0.85 V, 0.079 mA cmPt−2 at 0.9 V). This indicates superior catalytic activity. Furthermore, after 5000 cycles, the PtCo/CN@PPY-g-C3N4 retained approximately 77% at 0.85 V and 83% at 0.9 V of its initial mass activity, with only a 14 mV decrease in the half-wave potential, whereas commercial 20% Pt/C catalyst retained only 40% at0.85 V and 30% at 0.9 V of its initial mass activity. These enhancements can be attributed to the synergistic effects and strong interactions between the Pt–Co alloy nanoparticles and the carbon nitride support. The findings of this study underscore the potential of PtCo/CN@PPY-g-C3N4 as a viable and efficient alternative to traditional catalysts in electrochemical applications. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024.
