Carbon nanotube containing polyacrylonitrile materials for the oxygen evolution reaction

摘要

Composite materials of polyacrylonitrile and carbon nanotubes in varying amounts were synthesised as metal-free catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. For the best material possessing 12.8% CNT a low overpotential of 368 mV at 10 mA cm(-2) in 1 M KOH, high normalised activity and exchange current density were obtained. A good balance between conductivity and hydrophilicity proved essential for an efficient reaction.