Experimental Design Methodology Based in the Synthesis Parameters to Enhance the Electrochemical Properties in Doped Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The influence of synthesis parameters as the temperature, carrier gas flow rate, concentration and type of the reactants and other physical and chemical conditions have an important effect on the electrochemical performance of carbonaceous materials for energy applications. Present work shows the parametric studies of the synthesis conditions and their effects on electrochemical properties of the doped carbon nanotubes (D-CN), using silicon and boron, as dopants. The D-CN was obtained by a modified chemical vapour deposition method, using ferrocene as catalytic agent; pyridine and phenylboronic acid as nitrogen and boron dopants agents, respectively; and a quartz tube as substrate. An extensive characterization by X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was done in order to determine the main effects of the synthesis parameters over D-CN properties. The analysis of the main effects, analysis of variance, the interaction analysis between factors chosen and the response surface of the synthesis parameters are compared in both doped carbons. Also, the electrochemical performance of the D-CN when they are used as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction are correlated with the synthesis parameters. Acknowledgement The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by CONACYT-SENER-SUSTENTABILIDAD ENERGETICA under grant No. 254667.