A N-, Fe- and Co-tridoped carbon nanotube/nanoporous carbon nanocomposite with synergistically enhanced activity for oxygen reduction in acidic media

Electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic media are crucial in proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and other electrochemical devices. Achieving ideal ORR activity and durability in acidic media remains a challenge. Here, we developed a new NFeCo-CNT/NC nanocomposite electrocatalyst from the highly available and recyclable plant biomass Typha orientalis using a readily scalable approach. The electrocatalyst exhibits excellent ORR activity, superior stability and tolerance to methanol poisoning effects in acidic media. The value of the onset potential and half-peak potential of the typical product is only 70 mV and 65 mV less than that of Pt/C, respectively. The NFeCo-CNT and NFeCo-NC in the nanocomposite have synergistically enhanced ORR activities. The catalyst may have practical applications in fuel cells. One of the important accomplishments of this work is the discovery that trace Fe3+ and Co2+ can synergistically catalyze the growth of the carbon nanotubes when melamine serves as the CNT precursor.