Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes decorated with cobalt nanoparticles derived from zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 for highly efficient oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysis. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Rui; Wang, Xuzhen; Dong, Yanfeng; Pan, Xin; Liu, Xuguang; Zhao, Zongbin; Qiu, Jieshan
• Is Part Of: Carbon. Volume 132(2018)
• Page Start: 580
• Page End: 588
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Carbon -- Periodicals; Carbone -- Périodiques; Koolstof; Toepassingen; Electronic journals; 546.681
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2018.02.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-6223

Abstract

Abstract: Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes decorated with carbon-coated cobalt nanoparticles (Co@C-NCNTs) are constructed from the zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-67. Electrostatic force-induced preadsorption of coordination center ions on the surface of halloysite nanotubes leads to confined nucleation and in situ growth of a thin layer of ZIF-67. Subsequent carbonization and template removal give rise to NCNTs with open end and large inner cavity, thin wall moderate graphitization, and decoration with carbon-coated Co nanoparticles. The synthetic strategy can be easily extended to the preparation of various NCNTs with tunable graphitization and metal decoration from different ZIFs. Benefited from one-dimensional nanotubes with more exposed active surface area and convenient channels for the transport of electrons and reactants, the resulting Co@C-NCNTs exhibit enhanced catalytic performance in oxygen reduction reaction with an onset potential of −0.1 V vs Ag/AgCl, high current density (−4.42 mA/cm 2 at −0.6 V), and approximate 4e − transfer process in O2 -saturated 0.1 M KOH. The Co@C-NCNTs have higher durability and remarkable methanol tolerance capability both in alkaline and acidic solutions superior to the commercial Pt/C. The present strategy for structure-control electrocatalysts creates a new pathway for the fabrication of promising cathode catalyst for fuel cell applications. Graphical abstract: Image 1