Self-deposition of Pt nanocrystals on Mn3O4 coated carbon nanotubes for enhanced oxygen reduction electrocatalysis

Developing catalysts with high electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has recently attracted much attention because the sluggish ORR limits the performance and commercialization of current PEMFCs and metal-air batteries as well. Herein, a facile approach was reported to synthesize Mn3O4 nanoparticle coated carbon nanotubes (Mn3O4/CNTs) and self-deposit well-dispersed Pt nanocrystals on Mn3O4/CNTs to obtain Pt/Mn3O4/CNTs hybrid catalysts via in situ reduction of support matrix with no need of any capping agent and additional reducing agent. As a result of good dispersion of uncapped Pt nanocrystals, interconnected carbon nanotube conductive network, and possible synergetic co-catalytic effect from heterojunction interfaces of Pt nanocrystals and Mn3O4, the as-prepared Pt/Mn3O4/CNTs hybrid catalysts demonstrated much enhanced electrocatalytic activity for ORR. The reported strategy may inspire the development of new high efficient hybrid electrocatalysts in a cost-effective way with the potential to harness the metal/oxide interaction to improve the performance of catalysts.