Ruthenium supported on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline electrolyte; Poster

Abstract

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode of fuel cells plays an important role in controlling the performance of a fuel cell but the poor kinetics of the ORR hinders this performance. Currently platinum-based metals are the best electrocatalysts for ORR. However, due to the high cost of platinum, the large-scale synthesis and commercialisation of this electrocatalyst is problematic. Apart from its high cost, the Pt-based electrode also suffers from its susceptibility to time dependent drift, CO deactivation and it is unselective. Hence, non-platinum electrocatalysts which are more active, stable, and more economical are developed. The use of a support material that can increase efficiency and electrocatalytic activity is significant. Recently, several researchers have shown that nitrogen modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are good electrocatalyst supports and that they enhance the electrocatalytic activity for the ORR. Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) prepared via thermal chemical vapour deposition (CVD), were used to support ruthenium (Ru) nanoparticles using a microwave assisted reduction technique.