Synthesis of nano-TaOx oxygen reduction reaction catalysts on multi-walled carbon nanotubes connected via a decomposition of oxy-tantalum phthalocyanineElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: RRDE voltammograms. See DOI: 10.1039/c5cp00317b

Nano-TaO x particles were supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes via the thermal decomposition of oxy-tantalum phthalocyanine. The phthalocyanine-derived carbon connected TaO x particles with the nanotube-support to provide a conductive path. The oxygen reduction reaction activity, which solely originated from TaO x , was above 0.9 V with larger currents than conventional TaO x particles in acidic media. Nano-TaO x particles were supported on MWCNTs via a thermal decomposition of oxy-tantalum phthalocyanine. The ORR activity solely-originated from nano-TaO x was above 0.9 V versus RHE with larger currents than conventional micro-TaO x in acidic media.