Lead and Nitrogen Co-Doped Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

The electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on lead and nitrogen co-doped multi-walled carbon nanotube (Pb/N/MWCNT) composite catalyst has been investigated in the neutral, acidic and alkaline media. The mixture of lead phthalocyanine (PbPc) and MWCNTs was pyrolysed in nitrogen atmosphere to achieve co-doping of lead and nitrogen. The successful co-doping as well as formation of Pb nanoparticles were confirmed with the use of various physical and surface characterisation methods such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. This work brings forth the electrocatalytic effect of Pb and nitrogen co-doping of carbon by a detailed electrochemical analysis using rotating disk electrode (RDE) method. The Pb and nitrogen co-doped MWCNT material demonstrate a reasonable electrocatalytic ORR activity in acidic, neutral and alkaline media. The results indicate great potential of Pb to be employed in electrocatalyst design as co-doping agent to achieve superior cathode catalysts for microbial, proton and anion exchange membrane fuel cells.