Carbon Nanotube-Based Non-Noble Metal Catalyst for Oxidation Reduction Reaction

Abstract

Development of non-platinum electrocatalyst for fuel cells and batteries with high performance, durablity, and scalability is a strong social demand for next-generation eco-friendly energy society. We here report a pristine multi-wall carbon nanotube/iron phthalocyanine (MWNT/FePc) hybrid catalyst with a well-defined nanostructure for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media that meets this demand. By carefully tuning the thickness of the FePc stack layer deposited on the highly crystallized graphitic surface of the MWNT support, an ultra-high ORR activity and excellent durability were obtained. Moreover, a power density of 185 mW cm -2 at 0.8 V was obtained for a zinc-air battery using the MWNT/FePc cathode[1]. Reference [1] J. Yang, F. Toshimitsu, T. Fujigaya, N. Nakashima, J. Mater. Chem. A , in press.