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

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-co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of materials science 2021-12, Vol.56 (35), p.19512-19527
Main Authors: Abreu, Bárbara, Rocha, Marcos, Nunes, Marta, Freire, Cristina, Marques, Eduardo F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aqueous solutions
Assembly
Carbon
Catalysts
Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Chemistry and Materials Science
Classical Mechanics
Comparative analysis
Composites & Nanocomposites
Crystallography and Scattering Methods
Dispersants
Dispersion
Electric properties
Electrocatalysts
Graphene
Graphite
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen production
Materials Science
Multi wall carbon nanotubes
Nanocomposites
Nanomaterials
Nanotubes
Optimization
Oxygen reduction reactions
Peroxides
Polymer Sciences
Polymers
Povidone
Raman spectroscopy
Selectivity
Solid Mechanics
Surface active agents
Surfactants
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Summary: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. Graphical Abstract
ISSN:0022-2461
1573-4803
DOI:10.1007/s10853-021-06463-3