Strong-coupled Co-g-C3N4/SWCNTs composites as high-performance electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

The hybrid materials of cobalt doped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) attached on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were synthesized by a simple pyrolysis process. Electrochemical measurements revealed that the composites exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), with a more positive onset potential (−0.03 V), half-wave potential (−0.15 V), high efficiency four-electron process (n = 3.97) and much higher stability than that of commercial Pt/C catalysts in alkaline media. The ORR activity mainly originates from the strong coupling of Co-g-C₃N₄ derived active sites on the SWCNTs.