Covalent grafting of carbon nanotubes with a biomimetic heme model compound to enhance oxygen reduction reactions.
The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the most important reactions in both life processes and energy conversion systems. The replacement of noble-metal Pt-based ORR electrocatalysts by nonprecious-metal catalysts is crucial for the large-scale commercialization of automotive fuel cells. Inspired by the mechanisms of dioxygen activation by metalloenzymes, herein we report a structurally well-defined, bio-inspired ORR catalyst that consists of a biomimetic model compound-an axial imidazole-coordinated porphyrin-covalently attached to multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Without pyrolysis, this bio-inspired electrocatalyst demonstrates superior ORR activity and stability compared to those of the state-of-the-art Pt/C catalyst in both acidic and alkaline solutions, thus making it a promising alternative as an ORR electrocatalyst for application in fuel-cell technology.
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials of MOE & Department of Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237 (P.R. China).
Ping-Jie
PJ
Wei
Guo-Qiang
GQ
Yu
Yoshinori
Y
Naruta
Jin-Gang
JG
Liu
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D004566:Electrodes; D006418:Heme / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry*; D010984:Platinum / Q000737:chemistry; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000737:chemistry
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011166:Porphyrins; D006418:Heme; D010984:Platinum; D010100:Oxygen
bioinorganic chemistry; electrochemistry; enzymes models; oxygen; reduction