Carbon nanotubes supported oxygen reduction reaction catalysts: role of inner tubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely investigated to develop efficient ORR catalysts. Here we demonstrate that CNTs with 2-7 inner tubes are better supports to develop highly efficient ORR catalysts. Macrocyclic compounds and metal particle loading can dramatically improve the activity for ORR, and the CNTs composed of 2-7 inner tubes functionalized with cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) or supported with Pt nanoparticles (NPs) universally demonstrated better activity for ORR, demonstrating that CNTs composed of between 2 and 7 concentric tubes were proved the best supports to develop CNT hybrids for ORR in alkaline condition. The new discovery provides guidance to develop highly efficient catalysts by selecting carbon nanotubes as supports.

Automated summary

It has been found that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with 2-7 inner tubes are better supports for developing efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. CNTs functionalized with CoPc or supported with Pt nanoparticles (NPs) demonstrated better activity for ORR, proving that CNTs composed of 2-7 concentric tubes are the best supports for developing CNT hybrids for ORR in alkaline condition. This new discovery provides guidance for developing highly efficient catalysts by selecting carbon nanotubes as supports.