Issue 27, 2015

Cobalt-carbon nanofibers as an efficient support-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction with a systematic study of active site formation

Abstract

Recently, major efforts have been devoted to exploring cheap and active non-precious metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells for large-scale applications. Herein, we report electrospun cobalt-carbon nanofibers (Co-CNFs) as an efficient catalyst for the ORR, together with a systematic study of the active site formation. The ORR activity of the Co-CNFs increases with increasing Co content up to approximately 30 wt%, at which high ORR activity is exhibited, comparable with a commercial Pt/C catalyst in alkaline media. XPS and structural analysis reveals a Co–pyridinic Nx bond at the edge plane, and more Co nanoparticles were found in the Co-CNFs as the Co content was increased. These sites can behave as the primary and the secondary active sites for the ORR, according to a dual-site mechanism. The ORR activity of the Co-CNFs may deteriorate even if only one of these sites is limited. The high ORR activity of the Co-CNF catalysts results from the synergetic effect of dual site formation for the ORR.

Graphical abstract: Cobalt-carbon nanofibers as an efficient support-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction with a systematic study of active site formation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
19 Mar 2015
Accepted
01 Jun 2015
First published
03 Jun 2015

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015,3, 14284-14290

Cobalt-carbon nanofibers as an efficient support-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction with a systematic study of active site formation

M. Kim, D. Nam, H. Park, C. Kwon, K. Eom, S. Yoo, J. Jang, H. Kim, E. Cho and H. Kwon, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015, 3, 14284 DOI: 10.1039/C5TA02031J

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