Issue 6, 2016

An iron porphyrin-based conjugated network wrapped around carbon nanotubes as a noble-metal-free electrocatalyst for efficient oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

Developing an efficient, robust, and noble-metal-free catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is crucial for the large-scale commercialization of fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Herein, we report a structurally well-defined iron porphyrin-based conjugated network on carbon nanotubes ((FeP)n-CNTs) as a novel electrocatalyst for the ORR. Its superior electrocatalytic activity toward the ORR is demonstrated by the high-performance catalytic activity of (FeP)n-CNTs with a positive ORR onset potential and half-wave potential (E1/2 ∼ 0.76 V vs. RHE) values as well as outstanding durability and methanol tolerance in alkaline media. In addition, the low H2O2 yield illustrates that the ORR occurs mainly via the direct four-electron (4e) pathway, and testing shows that the small amount of produced H2O2 can be rapidly consumed through both electrochemical reduction and oxidation. Our results demonstrate that the as-prepared (FeP)n-CNT catalyst is a promising noble-metal-free catalyst for potential applications in fuel cells and metal–air batteries.

Graphical abstract: An iron porphyrin-based conjugated network wrapped around carbon nanotubes as a noble-metal-free electrocatalyst for efficient oxygen reduction reaction

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
12 אוק 2015
Accepted
23 פבר 2016
First published
24 פבר 2016

Inorg. Chem. Front., 2016,3, 821-827

An iron porphyrin-based conjugated network wrapped around carbon nanotubes as a noble-metal-free electrocatalyst for efficient oxygen reduction reaction

H. Jia, Z. Sun, D. Jiang, S. Yang and P. Du, Inorg. Chem. Front., 2016, 3, 821 DOI: 10.1039/C5QI00198F

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