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Nanowire‐Templated Synthesis of FeN x ‐Decorated Carbon Nanotubes as Highly Efficient, Universal‐pH, Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts
Author(s) -
Li Yanqiang,
Huang Huiyong,
Chen Siru,
Wang Chao,
Ma Tingli
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201805716
Subject(s) - catalysis , carbon nanotube , materials science , oxygen reduction reaction , nanomaterials , nanotechnology , carbon fibers , electrolyte , nanowire , chemical engineering , metal , energy transformation , chemistry , electrochemistry , electrode , organic chemistry , composite number , composite material , engineering , metallurgy , physics , thermodynamics
It is of increasing importance to develop highly active and economical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts, which have great significance for the large‐scale implementation of various energy conversion systems, including metal–air batteries and fuel cells. Herein, a novel method to synthesize FeN x ‐decorated carbon nanotubes as a high‐efficiency ORR catalyst, by utilizing ZnO nanowires as a sacrificial template and a Fe–polydopamine complex as metal and carbon sources, is reported. The obtained catalyst shows great potential for replacing Pt/C as the ORR catalyst under various pH conditions, from alkaline to acidic electrolytes. The high conductivity, large surface area of the carbon nanotube, and highly active FeN x species contributed greatly to the high performance of the catalyst. The work presented herein paves a new way for the synthesis of 1D porous nanomaterials for a broad range of energy‐related applications.