Low Pt content catalyst supported on nitrogen and phosphorus-codoped carbon nanotubes for electrocatalytic O2 reaction in acidic medium

To design low-cost and efficient cathode electrocatalysts and push forward the commercialization of fuel cells, low platinum content catalyst supported on nitrogen and phosphorus-codoped carbon nanotubes (Pt/NP-CNTs) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were prepared. Electrochemical tests demonstrated that the Pt/NP-CNTs catalyst exhibited much high ORR activity and remarkable stability in acidic media due to the strong interaction between NP-CNT support and Pt catalyst evidenced by the calculation of the density functional theory, showing a good potential application for a future low-cost proton exchange membrane fuel cell device. Pt/NP-CNTs catalyst showed a significantly improved ORR activity and stability in acidic media because of the strong interaction between Pt and NP-CNTs evidenced by DFT calculations. [Display omitted] •N and P-doped carbon nanotube (NP-CNT) favors the formation of smaller Pt particles.•Pt/NP-CNTs with 0.94wt% Pt are prepared for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).•Pt/NP-CNTs show high activity and stability for ORR in acidic media.•Theoretical calculation reveals the strong interaction between Pt and NP-CNTs.