Design of Fe,N co-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes for efficient oxygen reduction†
Abstract
Unique Fe and N co-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes are designed to efficiently catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The preparation processes involve surface functionalization, subsequent wet impregnation and final thermal fixation of Fe–Nx species. The catalyst achieved outstanding alkaline ORR performance with a very positive half-wave potential (∼0.91 V). Theoretical calculations show that the carbon layer below the active Fe–Nx sites is beneficial to the ORR.