Facile synthesis of N-doped carbon nanotubes grafted on N-doped carbon nanosheets co-encapsulating cobalt and molybdenum carbide nanoparticles for efficient methanol oxidation

Abstract

Developing efficient electrocatalysts based on inexpensive and environment protection materials for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) is crucial to new generation renewable energy storage and conversion processes, but it remains a major challenge. In our current research, N-doped carbon nanotubes grafted on N-doped carbon nanosheets co-encapsulating cobalt and Mo2C nanoparticles (Co-Mo2C/NCNT@NCN) are designed and synthesized by simple mixing and one-step annealing approach. After depositing Pt nanoparticles, Pt/Co-Mo2C/NCNT@NCN exhibits superior catalytic activity and stability for MOR in acid medium; more precisely, it has a commendable mass activity of 842 mA/mgPt, which is 2.1 times of Pt/C-JM. And it is worth mentioning that its anti-CO poisoning ability and stability have also a visible improvement; the enhanced catalytic performance mainly benefits from the rich N doping, excellent structural features, and the synergistic effect of Co and Mo2C. Therefore, this study opens up a new direction for designing and developing a favorable active multicomponent catalyst for MOR.