Constructing highly stretchable and superstable electrode with N-doped double-walled carbon nanotubes/poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) for oxygen reduction reaction.

As one of the most important energy generators, stretchable fuel cell has not been designed due to the reduced connection the electrocatalysts along with elongating. Herein, nitrogen doped double-walled carbon nanotubes coated on a poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) fiber (NDWNTs/PMIA) has been designed as stretchable electrodes for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The strain-ORR activity test shows the ORR peak currents and the number of the transferred electrons of per oxygen molecule over NDWNTs/PMIA electrode keep super stable up to a high strain level of 100% (twice length of the original one). The NDWNTs/PMIA electrode at 100% strain has a comparable peak current to the commercial Pt-C coated PMIA fiber of 0% strain (Pt-C/PMIA), while the ORR capacity over Pt-C/PMIA electrode disappears at only 5% strain. The well maintained ORR capability of the NDWNTs/PMIA electrode is originated from tube-tube contact of NDWNT network from cross- to parallel-pattern induced by stretching, and thus ensures a stable ORR activity. The experimental results provide a new strategy to explore the highly stretchable electrodes that are significant to the development of stretchable fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]