N-doped carbon nanotubes synthesized in high yield and decorated with CeO2 and SnO2 nanoparticles

Nitrogen doped multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNxNTs) with high yield and purity have been successfully prepared from n-propylamine precursor with CoxMg1−xMoO4 catalyst. The maximum yield of the CNxNTs is 920%. SnO2 and CeO2 nanoparticles are decorated on the surface of CNxNTs without any acid treatment due to the inherent interface activity. The TEM images reveal that SnO2 and CeO2 nanoparticles were anchored on the surface of the CNxNTs uniformly, and the XPS results indicate that the doped nitrogen atoms of CNxNTs play significant roles in immobilizing SnO2 and CeO2 nanoparticles, and the mechanism of the composite process has been discussed. The electrooxidation performance of the composites for NO at the modified electrodes was investigated. The CNxNTs-based composites show greater activity and sensitivity than the conventional CNTs-based composites for NO electrooxidation, which render them excellent electrode materials for NO detection and other potential applications.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights• Nitrogen doped multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNxNTs) with high yield have been prepared. • The maximum yield of the CNxNTs is 920%. • SnO2 and CeO2 nanoparticles were decorated on the surface of CNxNTs without any pre-treatment. • The SnO2/CNxNTs and the CeO2/CNxNTs have excellent activity for NO electrooxidation.