Controllable‐Nitrogen Doped Carbon Layer Surrounding Carbon Nanotubes as Novel Carbon Support for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

Novel nitrogen‐doped carbon layer surrounding carbon nanotubes composite (NC‐CNT) (N/C ratio 3.3–14.3 wt.%) as catalyst support has been prepared using aniline as a dispersant to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and as a source for both carbon and nitrogen coated on the surface of the CNTs, where the amount of doped nitrogen is controllable. The NC‐CNT so obtained were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms. A uniform dispersion of Pt nanoparticles (ca. 1.5–2.0 nm) was then anchored on the surface of NC‐CNT by using aromatic amine as a stabilizer. For these Pt/NC‐CNTs, cyclic voltammogram measurements show a high electrochemical activity surface area (up to 103.7 m2 g–1) compared to the commercial E‐TEK catalyst (55.3 m2 g–1). In single cell test, Pt/NC‐CNT catalyst has greatly enhanced catalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction, resulting in an enhancement of ca. 37% in mass activity compared with that of E‐TEK.

One-dimensional nitrogen-containing carbon nanostructures

“…Unique structure and chemical properties of NCNTs were further confirmed to lead better dispersion of Pt NPs, which results in the higher electrochemical surface area and higher ORR electrocatalytic activity [463]. Other reports also commensurate with the improved ORR performance upon nitrogen incorporation into Pt support leading to the improvements of ORR performance with respect to commercial catalysts [334,354,407,691], which is usually accompanied with increased Pt dispersion on the support and higher electrochemically active surface area [407,691].…”

A Facile Route to Bimetal and Nitrogen‐Codoped 3D Porous Graphitic Carbon Networks for Efficient Oxygen Reduction

“…During the past decades, non‐precious metal nitrogen‐doped carbon (M‐NC) materials have been widely studied as alternative ORR catalysts due to their outstanding catalytic performance, along with a relatively low price and abundant supply . The M‐NC catalysts can be prepared either by post‐treatment of the nitrogen‐doped carbon materials or through in situ doping through carbonization of metal‐organic compounds .…”

Recent advances in hybrid support material for Pt‐based electrocatalysts of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

“…The mass activity for Pt/NC‐CNT was found to be higher than the mass activity of E‐TEK. The enhanced performance was referred to the better dispersion of Pt nanoparticles over the support material accompanied with improved electrical conductivity …”

“…The enhanced performance was referred to the better dispersion of Pt nanoparticles over the support material accompanied with improved electrical conductivity. 125 Though CNT-based hybrid supports have unique properties, but the synthesis of CNTs is not as facile as that of CBs. 126 Moreover, cost-effective production of CNTs has not been achieved so far.…”