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Nano Research 2016, 9(2): 317-328 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-015-0911-y
Research Article | Issue | Published: 10 December 2015

Three-dimensional (3D) interconnected networks fabricated via in-situ growth of N-doped graphene/carbon nanotubes on Co-containing carbon nanofibers for enhanced oxygen reduction

Show Author's Information Qi Shi1,  Yingde Wang1( ),  Zhongmin Wang2,  Yongpeng Lei3( ),  Bing Wang1,  Nan Wu1,  Cheng Han1,  Song Xie1,  Yanzi Gou1
Science and Technology on Advanced Ceramic Fibers and Composites LaboratoryNational University of Defense TechnologyChangsha410073China
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Information MaterialsGuilin University of Electronic TechnologyGuilin541004China
College of Basic EducationNational University of Defense TechnologyChangsha410073China
Keywords:
carbon nanotubes, oxygen reduction, N-doped graphene, in-situ grown, three-dimensional (3D) interconnected fiber networks
Cite this article:
Shi Q, Wang Y, Wang Z, et al. Three-dimensional (3D) interconnected networks fabricated via in-situ growth of N-doped graphene/carbon nanotubes on Co-containing carbon nanofibers for enhanced oxygen reduction. Nano Research, 2016, 9(2): 317-328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-015-0911-y
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Abstract Full text Electronic supplementary material About this article

The strategy of combining highly conductive frameworks with abundant active sites is desirable in the preparation of alternative catalysts to commercial Pt/C for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this study, N-doped graphene (NG) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) were grown in-situ on Co-containing carbon nanofibers (CNF) to form three-dimensional (3D) interconnected networks. The NG and CNT bound the interlaced CNF together, facilitating electron transfer and providing additional active sites. The 3D interconnected fiber networks exhibited excellent ORR catalytic behavior with an onset potential of 0.924 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) and a higher current density than Pt/C beyond 0.720 V. In addition, the hybrid system exhibited superior stability and methanol tolerance to Pt/C in alkaline media. This method can be extended to the design of other 3D interconnected network architectures for energy storage and conversion applications.


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Electronic supplementary material
About this article

Three-dimensional (3D) interconnected networks fabricated via in-situ growth of N-doped graphene/carbon nanotubes on Co-containing carbon nanofibers for enhanced oxygen reduction

Show Author's information Qi Shi1, Yingde Wang1( ), Zhongmin Wang2, Yongpeng Lei3( ), Bing Wang1, Nan Wu1, Cheng Han1, Song Xie1, Yanzi Gou1
Science and Technology on Advanced Ceramic Fibers and Composites LaboratoryNational University of Defense TechnologyChangsha410073China
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Information MaterialsGuilin University of Electronic TechnologyGuilin541004China
College of Basic EducationNational University of Defense TechnologyChangsha410073China

Abstract

The strategy of combining highly conductive frameworks with abundant active sites is desirable in the preparation of alternative catalysts to commercial Pt/C for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this study, N-doped graphene (NG) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) were grown in-situ on Co-containing carbon nanofibers (CNF) to form three-dimensional (3D) interconnected networks. The NG and CNT bound the interlaced CNF together, facilitating electron transfer and providing additional active sites. The 3D interconnected fiber networks exhibited excellent ORR catalytic behavior with an onset potential of 0.924 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) and a higher current density than Pt/C beyond 0.720 V. In addition, the hybrid system exhibited superior stability and methanol tolerance to Pt/C in alkaline media. This method can be extended to the design of other 3D interconnected network architectures for energy storage and conversion applications.

Keywords: carbon nanotubes, oxygen reduction, N-doped graphene, in-situ grown, three-dimensional (3D) interconnected fiber networks

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Publication history
Copyright
Acknowledgements

Publication history

Received: 19 July 2015
Revised: 30 September 2015
Accepted: 04 October 2015
Published: 10 December 2015
Issue date: February 2016

Copyright

© Tsinghua University Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

The work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51203182 and 51173202), Open Research Fund Program of the State Key Laboratory of Low-Dimensional Quantum Physics (No. KF201312), Key Laboratory of High Performance Fibers & Products, Ministry of Education, Donghua University, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Information Materials (Guilin University of Electronic Technology) (No. 1210908-01-K), Research Project of NUDT (No. JC13-01-05), Aid Program for Science and Technology Innovative Research Team in Higher Educational Institutions of Hunan Province, and Aid Program for Innovative Group of National University of Defense Technology.

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