Bi-Functional N-Doped CNT/Graphene Composite as Highly Active and Durable Electrocatalyst for Metal Air Battery Applications

Ethylene diamine-based nitrogen doped carbon nanotube (NCNT) was successfully synthesized on thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRGO) by an injection chemical vapor deposition method and its electrocatalytic activities for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR and OER, respectively) were investigated for metal air battery applications. The TRGO/NCNT composite with a novel bridged planes morphology does not only exhibits ORR performance similar to that of commercial Pt/C catalyst, but also demonstrates a superior OER activity. Furthermore, the composite exhibits an excellent electrochemical durability confirmed by full range cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycling. This study highlights an approach to prepare highly active and durable metal free catalysts as a highly efficient electrode material for rechargeable metal air battery applications.