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A Composite of Pyrrole‐Doped Carbon Black Modified with Co 3 O 4 for Efficient Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Author(s) -
Liu Zhidong,
Su Qingyun,
Diao Peng,
Li Fan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201700382
Subject(s) - catalysis , carbon black , electrochemistry , composite number , carbon fibers , pyrrole , materials science , chemical engineering , limiting current , chemistry , oxygen reduction reaction , electron transfer , inorganic chemistry , electrode , organic chemistry , composite material , natural rubber , engineering
Low‐cost catalysts with high performance toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in energy conversion systems are intensively desired. Here, we report the preparation of a composite catalyst that is composed of pyrrole‐doped carbon black (py‐CB) and Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles (NPs). The synergetic effect of Co 3 O 4 and pyrrole on CB particles endows the obtained py‐CB/Co 3 O 4 hybrid with pronounced catalytic activity toward the ORR. The onset potential of the hybrid is 0.88 V vs . RHE and the half‐wave potential is only 60 mV negative from that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst. The diffusion‐limit current density of this catalyst reaches 5.47 mA cm −2 , which is very close to that of Pt/C. The electron‐transfer number of ORR on the py‐CB/Co 3 O 4 is 3.9, indicating a desirable four‐electron reduction pathway. Moreover, the hybrid catalyst exhibits a much higher durability toward the ORR than the commercial Pt/C catalyst. The py‐CB/Co 3 O 4 composite catalyst is highly competitive compared to other carbon‐based catalysts, owing to its high activity, excellent stability, and especially the use of inexpensive CB and the ease of preparation. This work may open a new avenue for the design and preparation of ORR catalysts based on cheap and commercially available CB.