Heterostructured Cu/CuO Nanoparticles Embedded within N-Doped Carbon Nanosheets for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

The development of cost-effective and highly efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts is an essential component of renewable clean energy technologies, such as fuel cells and metal/air cells, but remains a huge and long-term challenge. Here, novel heterogeneous Cu/CuO nanoparticles embedded within N-doped carbon nanosheets (Cu/CuO@NC-900) are successfully synthesized by combining a facile hydrothermal route with a solid calcination technique. Benefitting from the electronic interaction between Cu and CuO, the generated abundant highly active Cu-Nx active sites and the high conductivity of the N-doped carbon nanosheets, the resulting Cu/CuO@NC-900 material shows superior ORR performance in alkaline media, exhibiting a high half-wave potential of ~0.868 V, and a robust stability and methanol tolerance, even outperforming commercial 20 wt% Pt/C. Our study opens up a new avenue for the rational design and fabrication of efficient and durable noble-metal-free Cu-based electrocatalysts for energy conversion and storage.

A suitably fabricated ternary nanocomposite (Cu-CuO@rGO-SiO2) as a sustainable and common heterogeneous catalyst for C–S, C–O and C–N coupling reactions

“…For instance, metallic copper and various copper oxide phases play an imperative role in catalyzing specific organic transformations. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Moreover, the presence of copper species in the form of Cu 2 O-CuO/Cu, Cu 2 O-CuO and Cu-Cu 2 O-CuO leads to distinctive catalytic activity. [27][28][29][30][31][32] Furthermore, their catalytic activity could be improved if they are immobilized on suitable materials having a high surface area.…”

Ag-Cu Nanoparticles as Cathodic Catalysts for an Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

“…Mexico is the main producer of Ag in the world and is also ranked in the top ten of the main producers of Cu. This focuses on the strategy in the development of Ag-and Cu-based catalysts, which display desirable features such as high catalytic activity, excellent stability, and low cost, enabling a competitive framework for the development of catalysts for fuel cell technology and minimizing the dependence on foreign technology [9,10].…”