Carbon nanotube/graphene nanocomposites built via surfactant-mediated colloid assembly as metal-free catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2021

Autores

Abreu, B (Autor) FCUP; Rocha, M (Autor) Outra; Nunes, M (Autor) Outra; Cristina Freire (Autor) FCUP; Eduardo F Marques (Autor) FCUP

Revista

Título: Journal of Materials Science

Vol. 56

ISSN: 0022-2461

Editora: Springer Nature

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citações

Scopus - 5 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-00V-B5S

DOI: 10.1007/s10853-021-06463-3

Abstract (EN): The development of composites from 1D and 2D nanocarbon building blocks, namely carbon nanotubes and graphene layers, with enhanced properties or novel functionalities is an emerging challenge in material science. Herein, we developed a colloid-based approach using surfactants and polymers to non-covalently functionalize multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs), and to fabricate GnP@MWNT nanocomposites via an electrostatic-driven assembly process in aqueous solution. In the assembly process, two building methods were used and compared (bulk mixing and adapted layer-by-layer assembly), using surfactant and polymer/surfactant combinations as the dispersants for the initial nanomaterials. After their characterization by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and BET analysis, the nanocomposites were evaluated as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Results show that the type of the dispersant (namely the presence of polymer) plays a more relevant role than the specific building method in almost all the ORR parameters. Further, the nanocomposites show selectivity toward the 2-electron pathway oxygen reduction for the electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide. The development and optimization of further nanocomposite electrocatalysts can be pursued using this type of versatile and robust assembly method.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 16