Abstract
The oxygen reduction characteristics of bamboo-shaped, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (BCNTs) were compared with those of hollow-shaped, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (HCNTs). Structural and compositional differences between HCNTs and BCNTs were assessed using TEM, BET, TDS, Raman, TG-DTA and XPS measurements. A rotating disk electrode was used to study the influence of their structure on the activity of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). It was found that BCNTs showed higher catalytic activity in the ORR compared with HCNTs regardless of whether the BCNTs were untreated or acid-treated. The onset potential for the ORR was 0.66 V (vs. RHE) for acid-treated BCNTs, 0.32 V higher than that of acid-treated HCNTs. In addition, it was confirmed that the reduction current normalized by the BET surface area at a potential of −0.1 V (vs. RHE) was approximately 2.2 times higher for acid-treated BCNTs. Collectively, the results indicate that a disordered surface with pentagonal defects, rounded compartments, and edge plane sites contribute to the superior ORR characteristics of BCNTs.
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