Cobalt-based N-doped bamboo-like graphene tubes with enhanced durability for efficient oxygen reduction reaction in direct borohydride fuel cell

Exploring efficient non-precious metal cathode catalysts is attracting ever-increasing interest in the development of direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC). Herein, a cobalt-based nitrogen-doped bamboo-like graphene tube (Co-NGT) is prepared as an efficient cathode catalyst. The Co-NGT consists of bamboo-like graphene tubes (40–130 nm in diameter and ∼10 μm in length), as well as cobalt nanoparticles (50–100 nm in diameter) confined in the graphene tubes. The Co-NGT shows an onset reduction potential of 0.964 V and an almost four-electron pathway towards oxygen reduction reaction, as well as a negative shift of 8 mV in half-wave potential after 10,000 CV cycles. The Tafel slope of the Co-NGT catalyst is 47 mV decade−1, which is by ca. 37.8 mV decade−1 smaller than for Pt/C. A DBFC using the Co-NGT cathode yields the biggest power density of 453 mW cm−2 at 60 °C and a life span of over 120 h. The excellent electrocatalytic properties and superior durability of Co-NGT catalyst arise from the highly graphitized NGT, providing strong interaction with Co nanoparticles and mitigating the agglomeration of Co nanoparticles. Our study guides for composition and structural design of high-efficient cathode catalysts of DBFC.