Heating Treated Carbon Nanotubes As Highly Active Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Graphical abstract: Heating treatment for multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the air introduces abundant structure defects which improve catalytic performances for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). There is a positive correlation between the defect levels and ORR activities. The product shows better methanol tolerance and long-term durability than commercial Pt/C which makes it applicable in fuel cells. - Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely developed for electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices for replacement of high-cost Pt-based catalysts. In this paper, a simple and convenient method is developed for improving the catalytic activity of CNTs in a controlled way. By simple heating treatment in the air, the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) change with special morphologies, compositions and abundant defects (denoted as h-CNT). Those defects significantly improve the electrocatalytic performances for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) which proceeds in a nearly four-electron pathway. The heating conditions have important effects on the structures and defect properties of h-CNTs which show a positive correlation between the defect levels and ORR performances. The small amounts of iron residues originated from nanotube growth and nitrogen doping during heating treatment also contribute to some catalytic activity. The inner walls of h-CNT remain intact during heating treatment and provide sufficient conductivity which facilitates charge transport during ORR. The h-CNT electrocatalyst shows better methanol tolerance and long-term durability than commercial Pt/C in alkaline media which makes it an alternative cathode catalyst in fuel cells