Co/N-C nanotubes with increased coupling sites by space-confined pyrolysis for high electrocatalytic activity

• 来源期刊: 绿色能源与环境（英文版）
• 年，卷（期）: 2017,（1）
• 所属期刊栏目: Research papers
• 页码范围: 23-29
• 页数: 7页
• 语种: 中文

摘要

Searching low cost and non-precious metal catalysts for high-performance oxygen reduction reaction is highly desired. Herein, Co nano-particles embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon (Co/N-C) nanotubes with internal void space are successfully synthesized by space-confined pyrolysis, which effectively improve the cobalt loading content and restrict the encapsulated particles down to nanometer. Different from the typical conformal carbon encapsulation, the resulting Co/N-C nanotubes possess more cobalt nanoparticles embedded in the nanotubes, which can provide more coupling sites and active sites in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Moreover, the one-dimensional and porous structure provides a high surface area and a fast electron transfer pathway for the ORR. And the Co/N-C electrode presents excellent electrocatalytic ORR activity in terms of low onset potential (30 mV lower than that of Pt/C), small Tafel slop (45.5 mV dec-1) and good durability (88.5％retention after 10,000 s).