Synthesis of grape-like carbon nanospheres and their application as photocatalyst and electrocatalyst

• Carbon nanospheres (CNS) have been synthesized using in situ chemical-reduction route.
• The bare CNS shows good luminescence and photocatalytic applications.
• The Pt/CNS shows better electrochemical performance than the reported Pt/C.

Carbon nanospheres of grape-like structure (CNS) with diameter ranging from 40 to 50 nm and wall thickness of 6–8 nm were synthesized by solvothermal route. The phase structure, morphology, microstructure, thermal stability, disorder and optical properties of synthesized CNS were investigated by various characterization techniques. The possible formation and growth mechanism for CNS were discussed on the basis of the in-build reaction conditions. The degradation study of organic pollutants (methylene blue) in UV light in the presence of synthesized CNS was done. The stability of the CNS in electrochemical performance was also discussed at the different potential window and compared its electrocatalytic activity with platinum supported on CNS which shows the better response for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) at an optimized potential window (–0.2 to 1.0 V vs SCE).

A representative synthesis mechanism of carbon nano sphere (CNS) showing spherical morphology with its photo as well as electrocatalyst properties.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide