Process for the preparation of nitrogen doped carbon nanohorns for oxygen reduction electrocatalysis
Nitrogen doped carbon nanohorns function as efficient metal-free oxygen reduction electrocatalysts for anion exchange membrane fuel cells. The disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of nitrogen doped carbon nanohorns with enhanced conductivity and improved surface area.
1. A process for preparation of nitrogen doped carbon nanohorns for use in oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) with enhanced conductivity and improved surface area consisting of:
(a) pre-treating the carbon nanohorns;
(b) annealing the carbon nanohorns of step (a) in the presence of a nitrogen source at 500-1200° C. for 1-3 hours;
wherein the pre-treating of the carbon nanohorns results in functionalization of the carbon nanohorns, wherein the functionalization is carried out by mixing hydrogen peroxide with carbon nanohorns; and
wherein the nitrogen doped carbon nanohorns are co-doped with a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe and Co.
2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanohorns are single walled carbon nanohorns.
3. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the nitrogen source is selected from the group consisting of urea and melamine.
4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein a surface area of nitrogen doped carbon nanohorns ranges from 300 to 1500 m 2 g −1 .
5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein a conductivity of the nitrogen doped carbon nanohorns is in the range of 5-9 S cm −1 .
6. The process according to claim 1 , wherein nitrogen doped carbon nanohorns having a surface area in the range of 300 to 1500 m 2 g −1 and a conductivity in the range of 5-9 S cm −1 are prepared by the method.