Three-dimensional low-defect carbon nanotube/nitrogen-doped graphene hybrid aerogel-supported Pt nanoparticles as efficient electrocatalysts toward the methanol oxidation reaction. Issue 37 (12th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yan, Minmin; Jiang, Quanguo; Zhang, Tao; Wang, Jiayu; Yang, Lu; Lu, Zhiyong; He, Haiyan; Fu, Yongsheng; Wang, Xin; Huang, Huajie
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 6:Issue 37(2018)
• Page Start: 18165
• Page End: 18172
• Publication Date: 2018-09-12
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ta05124k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : A self-assembly approach is developed for the synthesis of highly-active Pt on 3D low-defect CNT/N-doped graphene aerogels. Abstract : Although direct methanol fuel cells present a huge potential for application in modern society, the lack of high-efficiency anode catalysts with acceptable cost has largely hindered their large-scale commercialization. Here, we demonstrate a bottom-up approach for the fabrication of ultrafine Pt nanoparticles dispersed on 3D low-defect carbon nanotube/nitrogen-doped graphene hybrid aerogels (Pt/LDCNT–NG) via a convenient and cost-effective self-assembly process. Both experiments and theoretical calculations reveal that the rationally assembled 3D Pt/LDCNT–NG architectures possess a low defect density, optimized electronic structure, and enhanced Pt stability, thus showing high electrocatalytic activity as well as a long lifespan toward the methanol oxidation reaction, which are far superior to those of conventional Pt/carbon black, Pt/acid-treated CNT, Pt/graphene, and Pt/nitrogen-doped graphene catalysts. It is anticipated that the synthetic strategy presented here can be further extended to the construction of various 3D heteroatom-doped low-defect carbonaceous nanomaterials that contain metals or metal oxides, which are conducive to the development of high-performance energy storage and conversion devices.