Preparation method of manganese dioxide/carbon nanotube complex fuel cell cathode oxygen reduction catalyst

Abstract

The invention discloses a preparation method of a manganese dioxide / carbon nanotube complex fuel cell cathode oxygen reduction catalyst and belongs to the field of energy. The preparation method comprises the following steps: firstly activating a carbon nanotube, then uniformly mixing the carbon nanotube with potassium permanganate, performing hydrothermal reaction in a high-pressure reactor and finally calcining under argon to obtain a manganese dioxide / carbon nanotube complex. The complex as a precious metal-free catalyst is applied to oxygen reduction reaction in an alkaline medium, shows excellent catalytic activity and shows the near-four electron transfer reaction. The manganese dioxide / carbon nanotube complex also has stronger methanol resistance and superior long range stability. Due to low cost and wide adaptability, the manganese dioxide / carbon nanotube complex is one of potential materials for the fuel cell cathode catalyst and is expected to replace a precious metal catalyst. The preparation method disclosed by the invention has the benefits that the process is simple, the operation is easy, and a synthetic material has an ordered mesoporous structure, more active sitesand excellent catalytic property.

Description

A technical field [0001] The invention relates to the field of energy, in particular to a method for preparing a manganese dioxide / carbon nanotube composite fuel cell cathode oxygen reduction catalyst. Two background technology [0002] As a kinetically slow process, the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction is an important factor limiting the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). Generally speaking, the oxygen reduction reaction is divided into the following two pathways: (1) two-step two-electron transport pathway, hydrogen peroxide is an intermediate product; (2) four-electron transport pathway, water is the final product, which is more efficient and more in line with the needs of the people. At present, platinum (Pt)-based catalysts are still the most widely applicable and active catalyst materials, but the commercialization of fuel cells is seriously hindered due to the high price and scarcity of Pt resources. A...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

At present, platinum (Pt)-based catalysts are still the most widely applicable and active catalyst materials, but the commercialization of fuel cells is seriously hindered due to the high price and lack of resources of Pt.

At the same time, methanol penetration leads to electro-oxidation on the cathode Pt catalyst, resulting in a "mixed potential", and the toxic intermediates produced by methanol oxidation can easily poison the catalyst, seriously affecting the output performance of the battery.

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