Facile Synthesis of MnO2/Polypyrrole/MnO2 Multiwalled Nanotubes as Advanced Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction. Issue 8 (7th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yuan, Haoran; Deng, Lifang; Tang, Jiahuan; Zhou, Shungui; Chen, Yong; Yuan, Yong
• Is Part Of: ChemElectroChem. Volume 2:Issue 8(2015)
• Page Start: 1152
• Page End: 1158
• Publication Date: 2015-05-07
• Subjects: Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1002/celc.201500109
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2196-0216

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Efficient, low‐cost electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction are essential components of renewable energy technologies. Herein, hierarchical multiwalled MnO₂/polypyrrole/MnO₂ nanotubes (NT‐MPMs) were synthesized by using a simple, cost‐effective hydrothermal method. The key to fabricating the multiwalled NT‐MPMs was to introduce a conductive polypyrrole (PPy) interlayer to improve the electrical conductivity of the MnO₂ nanotubes. In alkaline media, these rationally designed nanotubes exhibited remarkable electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction without the use of an external conductive additive, and significantly outperformed MnO₂ nanotubes containing a carbon additive, MnO₂/PPy nanotubes, and MnO₂/PPy/MnO₂ nanowires. A microbial fuel cell (MFC) equipped with the NT‐MPM cathode exhibited a maximum power density of 721±20 mW m⁻², which is comparable to that of a Pt/C cathode. Furthermore, the NT‐MPM cathode had greater long‐term stability than the Pt/C cathode. The outstanding performance of the NT‐MPMs makes them a potential alternative to Pt/C in MFCs for sustainable energy generation.</p> </abstract>