Nitrogen-doped Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes-MnCo2O4 microsphere as electrocatalyst for efficient oxygen reduction reaction

摘要

Nitrogen-doped Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (N-doped MWCNT)/MnCo2O4 hybrid is synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed the single phase formation of cubic spinel structured MnCo2O4 and their composites. The presence of D and G band of MWCNT is identified through Raman spectral analysis. The elemental oxidation state and nitrogen content is obtained using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which elucidates that Co and Mn exists in multivalence state and the nitrogen functional groups are in pyrolytic and pyridinic-type. FE-SEM shows the micro sphere formation of MnCo2O4 and size exhibits in the range of 6-9 mu m. The N-doped MWCNT/MnCo2O4 hybrid catalyst exhibits an improved oxygen reduction electrocatalytic activity in an aqueous alkaline medium when compared with pristine MnCo2O4. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.