  This study reports the preparation and characterization of a new family of
electrocatalysts (ECs) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) exhibiting a
'core-shell' morphology. The 'core' consists of graphene sheets, which are
covered by a carbon nitride (CN) 'shell' embedding Au and Ni active sites. The
investigated ECs are labeled AuNi10-CNl 600/Gr and AuNi10-CNl 900/Gr. The
chemical composition and thermal stability are studied by inductively-coupled
plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICPAES), elemental analysis and by
high-resolution thermogravimetric analysis (HR-TGA). The morphology of the ECs
is probed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), highresolution transmission
electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The ORR
performance of the ECs is studied both in acid (0.1 M HClO4) and in alkaline
medium (0.1 M KOH) by Cyclic Voltammetry with the Thin-Film Rotating Ring-Disk
Electrode (CV-TF-RRDE) method. Both ECs exhibit a promising performance in the
ORR in the alkaline medium.
