Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C₃N₄)-Derived Bamboo-Like Carbon Nanotubes/Co Nanoparticles Hybrids for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an extremely important reaction in many renewable energy-related devices. The sluggish kinetics of the ORR limits the development of many fuel cells. Design and synthesis of highly efficient nonprecious electrocatalysts are of vital importance for electrochemical reduction of oxygen. Herein, we develop a graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄)-derived bamboo-like carbon nanotubes/carbon-wrapped Co nanoparticles (BCNT/Co) electrocatalyst by a simple high-temperature pyrolysis and acid-leaching method. The catalytic performance of the as-designed electrocatalyst toward ORR outperforms the commercial Pt/C catalyst in alkaline solution. The onset potential of nonprecious BCNT/Co-800 catalyst was 1.12 V. The half-wave potential was 0.881 V. The result was superior to that of commercial Pt/C (0.827 V vs RHE). The Co nanoparticles, bamboo-like carbon nanotubes, defects, and Co-N_x active sites all result in the remarkable ORR activity, stability, and great methanol tolerance.