The composite of carbon nanotubes and cobalt(II)-intercalated montmorillonite for enhanced electrocatalytic oxygen reduction

Due to the rapid development of fuel cells, the fabrication of electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction (ORR) with high performance and low-cost is of great significance. Herein, cobalt cations-intercalated montmorillonite (Co-MMT) was prepared by a simple cation-exchange reaction between Na-MMT and cobalt cations. A detailed ORR investigation indicates that the as-prepared nanocomposite of Co-MMT and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Co-MMT/MWCNT) exhibits better ORR catalytic activity in aqueous alkaline medium with a 4e-route mechanism than Na-MMT, Co-MMT and MWCNT, suggesting the synergistic effect between Co-MMT and MWCNT. Moreover, further research shows that Co-MMT/MWCNT hybrid demonstrated more positive onset potential for ORR, higher oxygen reduction peak current than commercial 5% Pt/C ORR electrocatalyst.