Electrocatalytic Activity of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotube Cups

Abstract

The electrochemical activity of stacked nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube cups (NCNCs) has been explored in comparison to commercial Pt-decorated carbon nanotubes. The nanocup catalyst has demonstrated comparable performance to that of Pt catalyst in oxygen reduction reaction. In addition to effectively catalyzing O(2) reduction, the NCNC electrodes have been used for H(2)O(2) oxidation and consequently for glucose detection when NCNCs were functionalized with glucose oxidase (GOx). Creating the catalysts entirely free of precious metals is of great importance for low-cost fuel cells and biosensors.

CNx-modified Fe3O4 as Pt nanoparticle support for the oxygen reduction reaction

“…Nitrogen-doped carbon (CN x ) with noble metallic nanoparticles deposited on its surface exhibited an enhanced catalytic activity toward ORR as the CN x had greater electron mobility and showed n-type or metallic behavior [17][18][19][20][21]. Doping nitrogen into graphite has significant effects on both the morphology and electrocatalytic behavior of Pt nanoparticles [22].…”

Carbon-nitrogen/graphene composite as metal-free electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction

“…Therefore, research into non-precious metals or even metal-free catalysts with high ORR activity and durability is absolutely crucial for the development of fuel cells. Currently, it is widely accepted that nitrogen-containing carbon including macrocycle molecules [6][7][8], polymers [4,9] and nanomaterials [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] are a type of important building block for the preparation of Pt-substituted catalysts.Iron-or cobalt-doped carbon-nitrogen (CN x ) compounds have comparable activity to Pt/C catalysts in acidic systems [4,7,9,20]. Polypyrrole modified carbon-supported cobalt hydroxide can act as cathode and anode catalysts in direct borohydride fuel cells [21,22].…”

“…Therefore, research into non-precious metals or even metal-free catalysts with high ORR activity and durability is absolutely crucial for the development of fuel cells. Currently, it is widely accepted that nitrogen-containing carbon including macrocycle molecules [6][7][8], polymers [4,9] and nanomaterials [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] are a type of important building block for the preparation of Pt-substituted catalysts.…”

“…Polypyrrole modified carbon-supported cobalt hydroxide can act as cathode and anode catalysts in direct borohydride fuel cells [21,22]. Recent promising results involving metal-free PEDOT [5] and nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) [14][15][16][17][18][19] have been reported for alkaline systems giving excellent electrocatalytic activity, stability and immunity towards methanol crossover and CO poisoning. Particularly, NCNTs have attracted extensive interest because of their large surface area, good thermal and chemical stability as well as high electrical conductivity [14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

“…Recent promising results involving metal-free PEDOT [5] and nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) [14][15][16][17][18][19] have been reported for alkaline systems giving excellent electrocatalytic activity, stability and immunity towards methanol crossover and CO poisoning. Particularly, NCNTs have attracted extensive interest because of their large surface area, good thermal and chemical stability as well as high electrical conductivity [14][15][16][17][18][19]. It has been revealed that increasing the nitrogen content and the number of defects in NCNT enhances its electrocatalytic activity toward the ORR [11,16].…”