Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Supported on Arc-synthesized Carbon Nanotubes as Advanced Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

摘要

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an important half reaction in many renewable energy conversion and storage sources. The development of efficient, cost-effective and durable non-pre- cious ORR catalysts with their catalytic efficiencies close to expensive Pt-based catalysts is promising towards large-scale practical applications of fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Herein, we report a facile and scalable in-situ synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles supported on carbon nanotubes hybrid material using arc-discharge method in low-pressure air and use Fe3O4/ CNTs hybrid as a highly efficient ORR electrocatalyst. The as- synthesized Fe3O4/CNTs catalyst shows excellent ORR catalytic activity with its performance close to or even better than the commercial 20wt% Pt/C in alkaline media due to the synergistic effect between Fe3O4 and CNTs. This study provides a new insight into non-precious metal ORR catalysts that are feasible in alkaline membrane fuel cells and metal-air batteries.