Nanowire-Templated Synthesis of FeNx -Decorated Carbon Nanotubes as Highly Efficient, Universal-pH, Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts.

It is of increasing importance to develop highly active and economical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts, which have great significance for the large-scale implementation of various energy conversion systems, including metal-air batteries and fuel cells. Herein, a novel method to synthesize FeNx -decorated carbon nanotubes as a high-efficiency ORR catalyst, by utilizing ZnO nanowires as a sacrificial template and a Fe-polydopamine complex as metal and carbon sources, is reported. The obtained catalyst shows great potential for replacing Pt/C as the ORR catalyst under various pH conditions, from alkaline to acidic electrolytes. The high conductivity, large surface area of the carbon nanotube, and highly active FeNx species contributed greatly to the high performance of the catalyst. The work presented herein paves a new way for the synthesis of 1D porous nanomaterials for a broad range of energy-related applications.