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Abstract

Highly active Pt–WCx/carbon nanotube (CNT) electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) have been developed by the combination of tungsten carbide with CNTs as electrocatalyst supports. The obtained WCx/CNT and Pt–WCx/CNT samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS and electrochemical measurements. The results showed that nanostructured tungsten carbide particles on carbon nanotubes could be prepared by microwave-assisted thermolytic molecular precursor method, and the particle size of tungsten carbide increased with the increase of tungsten loading. The nanostructured WCx/CNTs showed electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction. The deposition of Pt nanoparticles on the WCx/CNTs resulted in higher electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction and better immunity to methanol than Pt/CNT catalysts. The unique electrocatalytic properties of the novel Pt–WCx/CNT electrocatalyst were attributed to a synergistic effect between Pt, WCx and the CNTs. The findings also indicated that WCx/CNTs were efficient electrocatalyst supports that could reduce Pt usage while the same electrocatalytic properties were kept for the ORR in direct methanol fuel cells.CO, the MoOxCy carburization to Mo2C, and further carburization of Mo2C to Mo3C2. The Pt−Mo2C/CNTs sample gave higher electrochemical surface area and activity for oxygen reduction reaction with a more positive onset potential in acid solution than those of Pt/CNTs under the same condition, which was attributed to the synergistic effect among Pt, Mo2C, and CNTs. The findings indicate that Mo2C is an inexpensive and promising alternative to precious metal and worthy of further exploring for other applications in catalysis.