Enhanced electrocatalytic activity of copper phthalocyanine/multiwalled carbon nanotube composite electrode via Pt nanoparticle modification for oxygen reduction

Enhanced electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen is achieved using Pt nanoparticle-modified copper phthalocyanine-multiwalled carbon nanotube (PtNPs/CuPc-CNT) composite film on a glassy carbon electrode (PtNPs/CuPc-CNT/GCE). The PtNPs/CuPc-CNT/GCE surface is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The electrocatalytic activity of composite electrodes in the oxygen reduction reaction is investigated by cyclic voltammetry and rotating-disk electrode measurements. PtNPs/CuPc-CNT/GCE show higher catalytic activity than CNT/GCE, CuPc/GCE, and CuPc-CNT/GCE in oxygen reduction with four electron transfers.