A metal–organic framework-derived bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst

• Published in: Nature energy Vol. 1; no. 1; p. 15006
• Main Authors: Xia, Bao Yu, Yan, Ya, Li, Nan, Wu, Hao Bin, Lou, Xiong Wen (David), Wang, Xin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 11.01.2016; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 639/301/299/886; 639/925/357/73; Carbon; Carbon nanotubes; Chemical composition; Chemical synthesis; Economics and Management; Electrocatalysts; Electrochemical analysis; Electrochemistry; Electrolysis; Electrolytic cells; Energy; Energy Policy; Energy Storage; Energy Systems; Fuel cells; Functional materials; Metal air batteries; Metal-organic frameworks; Metals; Nanomaterials; Nanotechnology; Nanotubes; Nitrogen; Noble metals; Oxygen; Renewable and Green Energy; Synergistic effect
• ISSN: 2058-7546; 2058-7546
• DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2015.6

Oxygen electrocatalysis is of great importance for many energy storage and conversion technologies, including fuel cells, metal–air batteries and water electrolysis. Replacing noble metal-based electrocatalysts with highly efficient and inexpensive non-noble metal-based oxygen electrocatalysts is critical for the practical applications of these technologies. Here we report a general approach for the synthesis of hollow frameworks of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes derived from metal–organic frameworks, which exhibit higher electrocatalytic activity and stability for oxygen reduction and evolution than commercial Pt/C electrocatalysts. The remarkable electrochemical properties are mainly attributed to the synergistic effect from chemical compositions and the robust hollow structure composed of interconnected crystalline nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes. The presented strategy for controlled design and synthesis of metal–organic framework-derived functional nanomaterials offers prospects in developing highly active electrocatalysts in electrochemical energy devices. Precious metals are efficient oxygen electrocatalysts but suffer from poor stability and high cost. Now, nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes derived from metal–organic frameworks are shown to have activity and durability comparable to that of Pt/C catalysts.