Biomass chitosan derived cobalt/nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes for the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction

Carbon nanomaterials derived from biomass are considered as important sustainable energy carriers. In this study, we report an approach to synthesize cobalt/nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (Co-NCNTs) for high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity by cobalt catalyzed carbonization of biomass chito...

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Published inJournal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Vol. 6; no. 14; pp. 574 - 5745
Main Authors Zhang, Yijie, Lu, Luhua, Zhang, Si, Lv, Zaozao, Yang, Dantong, Liu, Jinghai, Chen, Ying, Tian, Xiaocong, Jin, Hongyun, Song, Weiguo
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 01.01.2018
Subjects
Biomass
Biomass energy production
biomass production
Bonding strength
Carbon
Carbon nanotubes
Carbonization
Catalysis
Catalysts
chemical bonding
Chemical bonds
Chemical reduction
Chitosan
Cobalt
electrochemistry
Feasibility studies
Nanomaterials
nanosheets
Nanotechnology
Nanotubes
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Oxygen reduction reactions
platinum
renewable energy sources
Sustainable energy
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Summary:Carbon nanomaterials derived from biomass are considered as important sustainable energy carriers. In this study, we report an approach to synthesize cobalt/nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (Co-NCNTs) for high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity by cobalt catalyzed carbonization of biomass chitosan. It is found that the existence of cobalt results in the transition of graphene-like carbon nanosheets to tubular graphitic carbons. Moreover, a strong chemical bonding of cobalt with nitrogen and carbon in Co-NCNTs is found, which is important for enhancing the ORR activity. The Co-NCNT catalyst under optimized synthetic conditions displays attractive ORR activity superior to those of commercial Pt/C catalysts. Furthermore, the mechanism behind the enhanced ORR activity has also been studied. This study provides a feasible synthesis approach for the scalable production of biomass derived high performance carbon based ORR catalysts. Biomass chitosan was used for the scalable synthesis of cobalt/nitrogen doped carbon nanotube composites with impressive oxygen reduction reaction activity and stability.
Bibliography:Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: TEM, SEM, XPS, XRD, ESCA. See DOI
10.1039/c7ta11258k
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ISSN:2050-7488
2050-7496
2050-7496
DOI:10.1039/c7ta11258k