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Abstract
Coral reef has a unique dendritic structure with large specific surface area, rich pore structure, so that it can be attached to a large number of zooxanthellae for gas exchange. Coral reef ecosystems are also known as underwater rainforests. Inspired by this biological structure, we designed and fabricated coral-like Co3O4 decorated N-doped carbon particles (Co3O4/N-CP). The obtained Co3O4/N-CP-900 catalyst shows efficient ORR electrocatalytic performances in an alkaline medium with a positive onset and half-wave potentials of 0.97 and 0.90 V (vs. RHE), as well as a high diffusion-limited current density (5.50 mA cm−2) comparable to that of a Pt/C catalyst (5.15 mA cm−2). It also displays better stability and methanol tolerance than commercial Pt/C. In addition, the Co3O4/N-CP-900 electrode has a high specific capacitance of 316.2 F g−1 in 6 M KOH, as well as good rate capabilities and excellent cycle performance. These results are due to large surface area, narrow pore size distribution, high density electrochemical energy conversion and storage activity centers. This method presented here offers an effective path for the development of high performance multi-functional carbon-based materials for ORR and supercapacitor applications.
Highlights
In order to obtain efficient multi-functional materials for ORR and supercapacitors, the introduction of transition metal oxides (e.g., Co, Fe) into carbon materials doped with heteroatoms (e.g., N, S) may lead to electron modulation to provide an ideal electronic structure for relatively good electrocatalytic activity, which is considered to be an effective method[15,16]
The coral-like polyaniline doped with perfluorosebacic acid (PANI/PFSEA) precursor was fabricated by chemical polymerization in the presence of aniline, PFSEA and Co(NO3)2·6H2O acted as monomer, dopant and oxidant, respectively
The enlarged transmission electron microscope (TEM) image showed that the carbon nanotubes structures decorated some Co3O4 nanoparticles with a diameter range about from 10–50 nm (Fig. 2e)
Summary
In order to obtain efficient multi-functional materials for ORR and supercapacitors, the introduction of transition metal oxides (e.g., Co, Fe) into carbon materials doped with heteroatoms (e.g., N, S) may lead to electron modulation to provide an ideal electronic structure for relatively good electrocatalytic activity, which is considered to be an effective method[15,16]. Co3O4/N-CP-900 can be used as electrode material for supercapacitor, with a high specific capacitance of 316.2 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1, as well as long-term stability, good rate capabilities and excellent cycle performance.
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