Mechanical interlocking of SWNTs with N-rich macrocycles for efficient ORR electrocatalysis

Substitutional N-doping of single-walled carbon nanotubes is a common strategy to enhance their electrocatalytic properties in the oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR). Here, we explore the encapsulation of SWNTs within N-rich macrocycles as an alternative strategy to display electroactive sites on the surface of SWNTs. We design and synthesize four types of mechanically interlocked derivatives of SWNTs (MINTs) by combining two types of macrocycles and two types of SWNT samples. Comprehensive electrochemical characterization of these MINTs and their reference SWNTs allows us to establish structure-activity relationships. First, we show that all MINT samples are superior electrocatalysts compared to pristine SWNTs, which serves as general validation of our strategy. Secondly, we show that macrocycles displaying both N atoms and carbonyl groups perform better than those with N atoms only. Finally, we demonstrate that a tighter fit between macrocycles and SWNTs results in enhanced catalytic activity and stability, most likely due to a more effective charge-transfer between the SWNTs and the macrocycles. These results, focusing on the ORR as a testbed, show the possibility of understanding electrocatalytic performance of SWNTs at the molecular level and thus enable the design of more active and more stable catalysts in the future.

Highly sensitive determination of doxorubicin hydrochloride antitumor agent via a carbon nanotube/gold nanoparticle based nanocomposite biosensor

A glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorated with gold nanoparticles has been investigated for the first time as an ultrasensitive electrochemical sensor for the determination of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), an efficient antitumor agent. The developed nanocomposite has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), besides cyclic and linear sweep voltammetry electrochemical techniques. An efficient catalytic activity for the reduction of DOX has been demonstrated, leading to a significant increase in peak current density and a remarkable decrease in reduction over-potential. Under the optimal condition, a wide linear DOX concentration range from 1×10^-11 to 1×10^-6 M with a very low detection limit of 6.5 pM was achieved with the modified electrode. Meanwhile, the functionalized MWCNTs/gold nanoparticles indicated an appropriate selectivity, reproducibility, and repeatability as well as long-term stability. The promising outcomes of this research approved the applicability of the developed nanocomposite sensor towards trace amounts of DOX in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations.

Mechanically Interlocked Carbon Nanotubes as a Stable Electrocatalytic Platform for Oxygen Reduction

Mechanically interlocking redox-active anthraquinone onto single-walled carbon nanotubes (AQ-MINT) gives a new and advanced example of a noncovalent architecture for an electrochemical platform. Electrochemical studies of AQ-MINT as an electrode reveal enhanced electrochemical stability in both aqueous and organic solvents compared to physisorbed AQ-based electrodes. While maintaining the electrochemical properties of the parent anthraquinone molecules, we observe a stable oxygen reduction reaction to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Using such AQ-MINT electrodes, 7 and 2 μmol of H₂O₂ are produced over 8 h under basic and neutral conditions, while the control system of SWCNTs produces 2.2 and 0.5 μmol, respectively. These results reveal the potential of this rotaxane-type immobilization approach for heterogenized electrocatalysis.

A zinc-quinone battery for paired hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis

Hydrogen peroxide is a commodity chemical with immense applications as an environmentally benign disinfectant for water remediation, a green oxidant for synthetic chemistry and pulp bleaching, an energy carrier molecule and a rocket propellant. It is typically synthesized by indirect batch anthraquinone process, where sequential hydrogenation and oxidation of anthraquinone molecules generates H₂O₂. This highly energy demanding catalytic sequence necessitates the advent of new reaction pathways with lower energy expenditure. Here we demonstrate a Zn-quinone battery for paired H₂O₂ electrosynthesis at the three phase boundary of its cathodic half-cell during electric power generation. The catalytic quinone half-cell of the Zn-quinone battery, mediates proton coupled electron transfer with molecular oxygen during its chemical regeneration thereby pairing peroxide electrosynthesis with electricity generation. Hydrogen peroxide synthesizing Zn-quinone battery (HPSB) demonstrated a peak power density of ~90 mW/cm² at a peak current density of ~145 mA/cm² while synthesizing ~230 mM of H₂O₂. HPSB offers immense opportunities as it distinctly couples electric power generation with peroxide electrosynthesis which in-turn transforms energy conversion in batteries truly multifunctional.

Structure, Activity, and Faradaic Efficiency of Nitrogen-Doped Porous Carbon Catalysts for Direct Electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Production

Carbon materials doped with nitrogen are active catalysts for the electrochemical two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to hydrogen peroxide. Insights into the individual role of the various chemical nitrogen functionalities in the H₂ O₂ production, however, have remained scarce. Here, we explore a catalytically very active family of nitrogen-doped porous carbon materials, prepared by direct pyrolysis of ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK-3) with polyethylenimine (PEI). Voltammetric rotating ring-disk analysis in combination with chronoamperometric bulk electrolysis measurements in electrolysis cells demonstrate a pronounced effect of the applied potentials, current densities, and electrolyte pH on the H₂ O₂ selectivity and absolute production rates. H₂ O₂ selectivity up to 95.3 % was achieved in acidic environment, whereas the largest H₂ O₂ production rate of 570.1 mmol g^-1 _catalyst  h^-1 was observed in neutral solution. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) analysis suggests a key mechanistic role of pyridinic-N in the catalytic process in acid, whereas graphitic-N groups appear to be catalytically active moieties in neutral and alkaline conditions. Our results contribute to the understanding and aid the rational design of efficient carbon-based H₂ O₂ production catalysts.

Electrochemical properties of gold and glassy carbon electrodes electrografted with an anthraquinone diazonium compound using the rotating disc electrode method

The RDE method was combined with the electrografting procedure to prepare thick AQ films on Au and glassy carbon electrodes.