Cobalt-carbon nanofibers as an efficient support-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction with a systematic study of active site formation. Issue 27 (18th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, MinJoong; Nam, Do-Hwan; Park, Hee-Young; Kwon, ChoRong; Eom, KwangSup; Yoo, SungJong; Jang, JongHyun; Kim, Hyoung-Juhn; Cho, EunAe; Kwon, HyukSang
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 3:Issue 27(2015)
• Page Start: 14284
• Page End: 14290
• Publication Date: 2015-06-18
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ta02031j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : We report electrospun Co-carbon nanofibers as an efficient ORR catalyst and a study of active site formation. Abstract : Recently, major efforts have been devoted to exploring cheap and active non-precious metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells for large-scale applications. Herein, we report electrospun cobalt-carbon nanofibers (Co-CNFs) as an efficient catalyst for the ORR, together with a systematic study of the active site formation. The ORR activity of the Co-CNFs increases with increasing Co content up to approximately 30 wt%, at which high ORR activity is exhibited, comparable with a commercial Pt/C catalyst in alkaline media. XPS and structural analysis reveals a Co–pyridinic N x bond at the edge plane, and more Co nanoparticles were found in the Co-CNFs as the Co content was increased. These sites can behave as the primary and the secondary active sites for the ORR, according to a dual-site mechanism. The ORR activity of the Co-CNFs may deteriorate even if only one of these sites is limited. The high ORR activity of the Co-CNF catalysts results from the synergetic effect of dual site formation for the ORR.