Abstract
Metal–organic framework (MOF) materials can be used as precursors to prepare non-precious metal catalysts (NPMCs) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we prepared a novel MOF material (denoted as Co-bpdc) and then combined it with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to form Co-bpdc/MWCNTs composites. After calcination, the cobalt ions from Co-bpdc were converted into Co nanoparticles, which were distributed in the graphite carbon layers and MWCNTs to form Co-bpdc/MWCNTs. The prepared catalysts were characterized by TEM (Transmission electron microscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller), and Raman spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic activity was measured by using rotating disk electrode (RDE) voltammetry. The catalysts showed higher ORR catalytic activity than the commercial Pt/C catalyst in alkaline solution. Co-bpdc/MWCNTs-100 showed the highest ORR catalytic activity, with an initial reduction potential and half-wave potential reaching 0.99 V and 0.92 V, respectively. The prepared catalysts also showed superior stability and followed the 4-electron pathway ORR process in alkaline solution.
Highlights
In recent years, as a result of the global energy crisis and environmental pollution, the search for cheap, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative energy conversion and storage systems has aroused huge and sustained interest [1,2]
The Co-bpdc and Co-bpdc/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites were heated at a high temperature in a N2 atmosphere to form the catalysts
The central cobalt ions from the Co-bpdc were converted into Co nanoparticles, which were distributed in the graphite carbon layers and MWCNTs
Summary
As a result of the global energy crisis and environmental pollution, the search for cheap, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative energy conversion and storage systems has aroused huge and sustained interest [1,2]. Hydrogen is a clean energy source, and fuel cells are the best way to utilize it. Fuel cells are considered one of the most efficient clean power-generating technologies of the 21st century. The high cost of fuel cells limits their commercialization; the precious metal catalysts make up a large part of the cost. To realize commercialization of the fuel cells as soon as possible, we urgently need to develop high-efficiency and low-cost non-precious metal catalysts to replace the high-cost, platinum-based noble metal catalysts [3,4,5,6,7]. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) plays a pivotal role in fuel cells and metal–air batteries [8,9,10]
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