Cellulose-based carbon nanotubes array with lawn-like 3D architecture for oxygen reduction reaction
Songbiao Tang1, Hui Yang1, Juntao Yang1
1Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou 510640, China.
The Science of the Total Environment
|January 10, 2024
Summary
Researchers converted biomass-derived cellulose into well-distributed carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using ferric nanoparticles. This novel method yields high-performance CNTs for oxygen reduction reactions and microbial fuel cells, offering a non-noble metal alternative.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Biomass valorization offers sustainable routes to advanced materials.
- Developing high-performance carbon-based materials from biomass is crucial for various applications.
- Controlling the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials from biomass remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a controllable method for converting biomass-derived cellulose into well-distributed carbon nanotubes (CNTs).
- To optimize the synthesis process for enhanced morphology, graphitization, and nitrogen doping of CNTs.
- To evaluate the electrocatalytic performance of the synthesized CNTs for oxygen reduction reactions and their application in microbial fuel cells (MFCs).
Main Methods:
- Controlled precipitation of cellulose pyrolysis vapors using in-situ formed ferric metal nanoparticles.
- Tuning reagent ratios (ferric chloride and dicyandiamide) to influence CNT morphology and properties.
- Characterization of CNTs for structure, graphitization, and nitrogen content.
- Electrocatalytic testing for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and performance evaluation in microbial fuel cells (MFCs).
Main Results:
- Achieved lawn-like 3D architecture of CNTs with uniform length and dense distribution.
- Identified an optimal reagent mass ratio (0.162:1.05) for enhanced CNT morphology, graphitization, and nitrogen doping (graphitic-N and pyridine-N).
- Demonstrated superior electrocatalytic activity for ORR (onset potential 0.875 V vs RHE, half-wave potential 0.703 V vs RHE) and significant MFC performance (0.537 V output voltage, 412.85 mW/m² power density).
Conclusions:
- The proposed method enables controllable synthesis of high-quality, biomass-derived CNTs.
- The synthesized CNTs exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance, comparable to platinum-based catalysts.
- This research presents a promising, cost-effective, non-noble metal alternative for energy conversion applications.
