A Three‐Dimensionally Structured Electrocatalyst: Cobalt‐Embedded Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes/Nitrogen‐Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrid for Efficient Oxygen Reduction

Abstract

Abstract To develop low‐cost and efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts, a novel hybrid comprising cobalt‐embedded nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes and nitrogen‐doped reduced graphene oxide (Co‐NCNT/NrGO‐800) was simply prepared by pyrolysis. The combination of nanotubes and graphene, and the efficient doping with cobalt and nitrogen, greatly contribute to the excellent ORR performance. This optimized Co‐NCNT/NrGO catalyst exhibits a positive onset potential of 0.91 V and a half‐wave potential of 0.82 V, combined with a relatively low peroxide yield, better durability, and better methanol tolerance than commercially available Pt/C, which makes it a promising candidate as a low‐cost and effective non‐precious‐metal ORR catalyst.