Lysine-derived mesoporous carbon nanotubes as a proficient non-precious catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

N-doped carbon nanotubes are highly favored for use as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) because of their relatively low cost and superior catalytic activity . Here, Lysine-derived porous carbon nanotubes (LPCNs) with large inner cavities of ca. 300–400 nm are reported as electrocatalyst for ORR. LPCNs exhibit 28.3 mV of more positive half-wave-potential than that of commercial Pt/C. In addition, LPCNs is much more stable and tolerant to fuel crossover effect than Pt/C. The above superiorities make it a promising candidate for substituting noble metal catalysts as a cathode catalyst for ORR.