Nitrogen Doped Carbon Nanotubes Based Non-Precious Metal Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction at Alkaline Fuel Cell Cathode

Abstract

Alkaline fuel cell is a highly efficient and environmentally friendly energy conversion device showing great potential for sustainable development. However, to realize the commercialization of alkaline fuel cell, many obstacles must be overcome. The biggest challenge is perhaps to improve the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the alkaline fuel cell cathode. Platinum based catalyst remained to be the most effective catalyst for ORR, but the scarcity and high cost prohibit large scale application in alkaline fuel cell. Nitrogen doped carbon materials have showed great potential for ORR, making these catalysts desirable replacements for platinum based catalysts. In this paper, nitrogen doped carbon nanotube exhibiting high ORR activity is presented. Through material characterizations, the various factors affecting the activity of nitrogen doped carbon nanotube are elaborated as well.