Improving ORR activity of carbon nanotubes by hydrothermal carbon deposition method

Nitrogen doped carbons are an important family of materials with ideal activity for oxygen reduction reaction(ORR). It is always interesting to search functional carbons with high heteroatom contents and desirable structure for ORR. Within this study, the surface modification of carbon nanotubes(CNTs) via hydrothermal carbonization(HTC) technique in the presence of glucose and urea was reported, where the surface of CNTs is successfully coated by nitrogen containing hydrothermal carbon layers. The resulting composite combines both advantages of the outstanding electrical conductivity of CNTs and the effective ORR active sites provided by doped nitrogen in the HTC carbon layers. By controlling the ratio of glucose and urea, the nitrogen contents coated on the surface of CNTs can reach up to 1.7 wt%. The resulting materials show outstanding electrochemical activity towards ORR in alkaline electrolyte, making it one of the valuable metal-free electrode materials and a competent alternative to the state-of-the-art Pt/C catalyst.     

A new strategy to access Co/N co-doped carbon nanotubes as oxygen reduction reaction catalysts

Carbon nanotubes(CNTs),as one-dimensional nanomaterials,show great potential in energy conversion and storage due to their efficient electrical conductivity and mass transfer.However,the security risks,time-consuming and high cost of the preparation process hinder its further application.Here,we develop that a negative pressure rather than a following gas environment can promote the generation of cobalt and nitrogen co-doped CNTs(Co/N-CNTs) by using cobalt zeolitic imidazolate framework(ZIF-67) as a precursor,in which the negative pressure plays a key role in adjusting the size of cobalt nanoparticles and stimulating the rearragement of carbon atoms for forming CNTs.Importantly,the obtained Co/N-CNTs,with high content of pyridinic nitrogen and abundant graphitized structure,exhibit superior catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) with half-wave potential(E_1/2) of 0.85 V and durability in terms of the minimum current loss(2%) after the 30,000 s test.Our development provides a new pathway for large-scale and cost-effective preparation of metal-doped CNTs for various applications.     

Influence of surface functionalization via chemical oxidation on the properties of carbon nanotubes

The surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was functionalized in different chemical oxidants, hydrogen peroxide, mixed concentrated HNO(3)/H(2)SO(4) and acidic KMnO(4) solution. The influences on the properties of CNTs were systematically investigated, such as the structure, the kinds and the contents of the formed surface oxygen-containing functional groups, the pH(PZC) values and the surface hydrophilicity using XRD, HREM, FTIR and chemical titration. The results show that the kinds and the contents of the surface oxygen-containing groups are dependent on the functionalization methods. The formation of the oxygen-containing groups can decrease pH(PZC) values and improve surface hydrophilicity of CNTs. The dispersion of the supported Pd-Pt particles on the functionalized CNTs and their catalytic activity in the profile reaction of naphthalene hydrogenation to tetralin are both promoted due to the presence of these oxygen-containing groups.     

One‐Step Hydrothermal Synthesis of Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reactions

A high amount of heteroatom doping in carbon, although favorable for enhanced density of catalytically active sites, may lead to substantially decreased electroconductivity, which is necessary for the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction. Herein, a relatively low amount of nitrogen was successfully doped into carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by a hydrothermal approach in one step, and the synthesized nitrogen‐doped CNT (CNT‐N) materials retained most of the original, excellent characteristics, such as the graphitic structure, tubular morphology, and high surface area, of CNTs. The resultant CNT‐N materials, although containing a relatively low amount of nitrogen doping, exhibited high electrocatalytic ORR activity, comparable to that of 20 wt % Pt/C; long durability; and, more importantly, largely inhibited methanol crossover effect.     

氮掺杂碳纳米管负载的Ru和Pd催化剂上异丙醇的转化(英文)

Ru and Pd (2 wt%) loaded on pure and on Ndoped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) were prepared and tested using the isopropyl alcohol decomposition reaction as probe reaction. The presence of nitrogen functionalities (pyridinic, pyrrolic, and quaternary nitrogen) on the nitrogen doped support induced a higher metal dispersion: Pd/NCNT (1.8 nm) Pd/CNT (4.9 nm), and Ru/NCNT (2.4 nm) Ru/CNT (3.0 nm). The catalytic activity of the supports was determined first. Isopropyl alcohol conversion produces acetone on CNTs while on NCNTs it led to both dehydration and dehydrogenation products. At 210 °C and in the presence of air, the isopropyl alcohol conversion was higher on the NCNTs (25%) than on the CNTs (11%). The Pd loaded catalysts were more active and more selective than the Ru ones. At 115 °C, the Pd catalysts were 100% selective towards acetone for a conversion of 100%, whereas the Ru catalysts led to dehydration and dehydrogenation products. The nitrogen doping induced the appearance of redox properties when oxygen is present in the reaction mixture.     

Ordered mesoporous carbon nitrides with graphitic frameworks as metal-free, highly durable, methanol-tolerant oxygen reduction catalysts in an acidic medium

Developments of high-performance cost-effective electrocatalyts that can replace Pt catalysts have been a central theme in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). In this direction, nitrogen-doped carbon nanostructures free of metallic components have attracted particular attention. Here we show that directing graphitic carbon nitride frameworks into mesoporous architecture can generate a highly promising metal-free electrocatalyst for an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in an acidic medium. The ordered mesoporous carbon nitride (OMCN) was synthesized with a nanocasting strategy using ordered mesoporous silica as a template. A variety of characterizations revealed that the OMCN is constructed with graphitic carbon nitride frameworks and ordered arrays of uniform mesopores. The OMCN showed significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activity for ORR compared to bulk carbon nitride and ordered mesoporous carbon in terms of the current density and onset potential. A high surface area and an increased density of catalytically active nitrogen groups in the OMCN appear to contribute concomitantly to the enhanced performance of the OMCN. Furthermore, the OMCN exhibited superior durability and methanol tolerance to a Pt/C catalyst, suggesting its widespread utilization as an electrocatalyst for PEMFCs and DMFCs.     

Fe-N-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes for oxygen reduction reaction in acid

We report a facile synthesis of Fe-N-C catalysts based on the surface functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which show high activity and stability for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acid. Fe-N-MWCNT catalysts, whose ORR mass activities could vary by 3-4 times depending on the choice of Fe precursors, were found to have considerably higher ORR mass activity and higher stability than N-modified MWCNTs (N-MWCNTs). The Fe-N-MWCNT catalyst with a dominant Fe-N(x) moiety (with x ≈ 4) and a surface Fe/C ratio of ～0.004 exhibits the highest ORR mass activity in acid (～0.7 mA mg(-1)(Fe-N-MWCNT) at 0.8 V vs. RHE), where the lower mass activity of other Fe-N-MWCNT catalysts can be attributed to lower Fe/C ratios and Fe-N(x) moieties (with x smaller than 4) as revealed from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Moreover, the enhanced stability of Fe-N-MWCNTs in comparison to N-MWCNTs can be attributed to less H(2)O(2) production during ORR as determined from rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) measurements, and higher activity for H(2)O(2) electro-reduction by rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurements. The large surface Fe/C ratio and Fe-N(x) moiety corresponding to high ORR activity and stability of Fe-N-MWCNTs demonstrate that surface functionalization can be very helpful to graft active catalytic sites onto carbon nanostructures, and to provide insights into the ORR mechanism of non-noble metal catalysts (NNMCs) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).     

Electrochemical oxidation of catecholamines and catechols at carbon nanotube electrodes

The differences in the electrochemical oxidation of two commonly known catecholamines, dopamine and norepinephrine, and one catechol, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), at three different types of carbon based electrodes comprising conventionally polished glassy carbon (GC), nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs), and non-doped CNTs were assessed. Raman microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to evaluate structural and compositional properties. Raman measurements indicate that N-CNT electrodes have ca. 2.4 times more edge plane sites over non-doped CNTs. XPS data show no evidence of oxygen functionalities at the surface of either CNT type. N-CNTs possess 4.0 at. % nitrogen as pyridinic, pyrrolic, and quaternary nitrogen functionalities that result in positively charged carbon surfaces in neutral and acidic solutions. The electrochemical behavior of the various carbon electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry conducted in pH 5.8 acetate buffer. Semiintegral analysis of the voltammograms reveals a significant adsorptive character of dopamine and norepinephrine oxidation at N-CNT electrodes. Larger peak splittings, DeltaE(p), for the cyclic voltammograms of both catecholamines and a smaller DeltaE(p) for the cyclic voltammogram for DOPAC at N-CNT electrodes suggest that electrostatic interactions hinder oxidation of cationic dopamine and norepinephrine, but facilitate anionic DOPAC oxidation. These observations were supported by titrimetry of solid suspensions to determine the pH of point of zero charge (pH(pzc)) and estimate the number of basic sites for both CNT varieties. This study demonstrates that carbon purity, the presence of exposed edge plane sites, surface charge, and basicity of CNTs are important factors for influencing adsorption and enhancing the electrochemical oxidation of catecholamines and catechols.     

铁基氮掺杂碳纳米管制备及其电催化性能

利用化学原位聚合法制备聚吡咯包覆碳纳米管, 然后以硫酸亚铁铵盐为铁前驱体, 采用液相沉淀法制备聚吡咯-碳纳米管-铁化合物复合材料(Fe-PPy-CNTs), 通过对复合材料Fe-PPy-CNTs 热处理, 成功制备出铁基氮掺杂碳纳米管催化剂FeNCNTs. X射线衍射分析表明, 热处理使Fe-PPy-CNTs 复合物中Fe₃O₄向Fe₃N和Fe转化, 700 ℃热处理制备的FeNCNT700中铁主要是Fe₃O₄相, 但也有Fe相. 800和900 ℃热处理制备的催化剂FeNCNT800和FeNCNT900则明显有Fe₃N和Fe形成. 随着热处理温度升高, FeNCNTs 催化剂氮含量降低, 其含氮官能团也由吡咯型氮向吡啶型和石墨型氮转化. 电化学分析表明, 含有Fe₃N 的FeNCNT800 和FeNCNT900催化剂具有明显的氧还原催化活性, 其中, FeNCNT800因其具有高的比表面积、高的氮含量和高比例的有利于增强氧吸附能力和弱化O―O键的石墨氮官能团, 而表现出优于FeNCNT900氧还原催化活性及稳定性.     

Insight into the Origin of the Positive Effects of Imidazolium Salt on Electrocatalytic Activity: Ionic Carbon Nanotubes as Metal‐Free Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

We report remarkable metal‐free electrocatalytic activities of the imidazolium salt‐functionalized ionic multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (IM‐f‐MWCNTs) in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The electrocatalytic activity can be attributed to the induced polarization of the π‐electrons of CNTs, thus accelerating interfacial electron transfer. The zwitterionic MWCNTs functionalized with poly(vinylimidazolium sulfonate) have a more positive surface charge and exhibit a better electrocatalytic activity than the poly(vinylbutylimidazolium chloride)‐functionalized MWCNTs. The IM‐f‐MWCNTs showed better fuel selectivity than the commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst.     

Electrochemical performance of annealed cobalt-benzotriazole/CNTs catalysts towards the oxygen reduction reaction

One of the major limitations yet to the global implementation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is the cathode catalyst. The development of efficient platinum-free catalysts is the key issue to solve the problem of slow kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and high cost. We report a promising catalyst for ORR prepared through the annealing treatment under inert conditions of the cobalt-benzotriazole (Co-BTA) complex supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The N-rich benzotriazole precursor was chosen based on its ability to complex Co(II) ions and generate under annealing highly reactive radicals able to tune the physicochemical properties of CNTs. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to follow the surface structure changes and highlight the active electrocatalytic sites towards the ORR. To achieve further evaluation of the catalysts in acidic medium, voltamperometry, rotating disk electrode (RDE), rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) and half-cell measurements were performed. The resulting catalysts (Co/N/CNTs) all show catalytic activity towards the ORR, the most active one resulting from annealing at 700 °C. The overall electron transfer number for the catalyzed ORR was determined to be ～3.7 with no change upon the catalyst loading, suggesting that the ORR was dominated by a 4e(-) transfer process. The results indicate a promising alternative cathode catalyst for ORR in fuel cells, although its performance is still lower (overpotential around 110 mV evaluated by RDE and RRDE) than the reference Pt/C catalyst.     

核壳结构催化剂应用于质子交换膜燃料电池氧还原的研究进展

质子交换膜燃料电池（PEMFCs）由于高比功率密度、高能量转换效率、环境友好和低温下快速启动等优点受到广泛关注,被认为是替代传统内燃机成为汽车动力的最理想能源转换装置。目前PEMFCs仍需较高载量的贵金属Pt作为电催化剂以保持转换效率,因此,开发低Pt量高活性的电催化剂对PEMFCs技术的商业化进程至关重要。核壳结构催化剂被证明是一种能有效降低电极Pt用量的策略,其既能通过结构优势提高贵金属Pt的利用率,又能通过电子或几何效应改善催化剂的催化活性和稳定性。本文首先简介了PEMFCs阴极氧还原反应（ORR）电催化剂构效关系的理论研究;其次综述了几种典型核壳结构电催化剂应用于ORR的研究进展;最后对ORR低Pt电催化剂的下一步研究方向作了展望。     

铂催化氧还原反应过程中磷酸的影响及抑制磷酸吸附策略

与低温(<100oC)质子交换膜燃料电池相比,磷酸掺杂PBI膜燃料电池可工作于100–200 oC,工作温度的提高有利于提高电极反应动力学速率、增加Pt催化剂对CO等毒物的耐受性,以及简化电池水管理等.然而,磷酸在Pt催化剂表面吸附较强,这将造成Pt一定程度的毒化.基于“第三体效应”,即在Pt表面预吸附某些小分子,可在一定程度上抑制磷酸吸附,然而预吸附分子同时也将占据Pt表面部分活性位点,因而Pt的催化性能最终由两个因素决定：磷酸抑制程度和预吸附分子在Pt表面的覆盖度.
　　本文系统考察了Pt表面预吸附分子覆盖度和预吸附分子链长对其催化氧还原反应(ORR)活性的影响.首先,通过控制预吸附了胺类分子的Pt电极的电位,得到表面具有不同覆盖度的Pt电极,考察了0.1 mol/L H3PO4电解液中Pt电极对ORR的催化活性随预吸附分子覆盖度的变化规律;为分离磷酸吸附和修饰分子吸附本身对Pt催化活性的影响,对比了0.1 mol/L HClO4电解液中Pt电极对ORR的催化活性随预吸附分子覆盖度的变化规律.进一步对比研究了不同链长胺分子——正丁胺(BA)、正辛胺(OA)及十二胺(DA)等作为修饰分子对Pt/C催化剂电催化ORR活性的影响.结果表明,随修饰分子在Pt表面覆盖度提高,在0.1 mol/L HClO4溶液中,由于预吸附分子占据Pt部分活性位,修饰后光滑Pt电极表面的本征活性单调下降;而在0.1 mol/L H3PO4中,修饰后光滑Pt电极表面的ORR活性呈现先升高后降低的趋势,当预吸附分子覆盖度约为20%时,其ORR活性最高,为未修饰的光滑Pt电极表面的1.67倍.这表明预吸附分子有效抑制了磷酸的吸附,且当预吸附分子覆盖度约为20%时,预吸附分子对Pt表面的占据与其抑制磷酸吸附的作用达到最佳平衡点.然而,当修饰分子BA, OA和DA在Pt表面覆盖度分别为38.6%,26.1%和26.1%时, Pt/C在0.1 mol/L H3PO4中的ORR催化活性接近,分别为未经修饰Pt/C电催化剂的1.7,1.8和2.0倍,这表明预吸附分子链长对ORR催化活性影响较小,表面预吸附分子抑制磷酸吸附的策略对Pt/C催化剂也同样适用.同时, Pt/C电极经BA, OA和DA修饰后,其在0.1 mol/L HClO4中的比表面活性分别为未经修饰Pt/C电催化剂的1.0,1.1和1.3倍,与修饰后光滑Pt电极表面本征ORR活性变化规律不一致.然而,与Pt在HClO4电解质中的ORR活性相比, ORR的半波电位仍有大约123 mV的差距,今后还需继续从催化剂的角度,如调控Pt表面的吸附特性,或从创新电解质的角度,如有机磷酸电解质等出发解决磷酸毒化的问题.     

Functional groups modulate the sensitivity and electron transfer kinetics of neurochemicals at carbon nanotube modified microelectrodes

The surface properties of carbon-based electrodes are critically important for the detection of biomolecules and can modulate electrostatic interactions, adsorption and electrocatalysis. Carbon nanotube (CNT) modified electrodes have previously been shown to have increased oxidative sensitivity and reduced overpotential for catecholamine neurotransmitters, but the effect of surface functionalities on these properties has not been characterized. In this study, we modified carbon-fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) with three differently functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes and measured their response to serotonin, dopamine, and ascorbic acid using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Both carboxylic acid functionalized and amide functionalized CNTs increased the oxidative current of CFMEs by approximately 2-6 fold for the cationic neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, but octadecylamine functionalized CNTs resulted in no significant signal change. Similarly, electron transfer was faster for both amide and carboxylic acid functionalized CNT modified electrodes but slower for octadecylamine CNT modified electrodes. Oxidation of ascorbic acid was only increased with carboxylic acid functionalized CNTs although all CNT-modified electrodes showed a trend towards increased reversibility for ascorbic acid. Carboxylic acid-CNT modified disk electrodes were then tested for detection of serotonin in the ventral nerve cord of a Drosophila melanogaster larva, and the increase in sensitivity was maintained in biological tissue. The functional groups of CNTs therefore modulate the electrochemical properties, and the increase in sensitivity from CNT modification facilitates measurements in biological samples.     

Synthesis and characterization of iron‐ and nitrogen‐functionalized graphene catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

Iron‐ and nitrogen‐functionalized graphene (Fe‐N‐G), as well as iron‐ and nitrogen‐functionalized oxidized graphene (Fe‐N‐Gox) catalysts were synthesized as non‐noble metal electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The physical properties of the resultant catalysts were characterized using nitrogen adsorption measurements, X‐ray diffraction, Raman and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopies and transmission electron microscopy. Subsequently, ORR activities of the catalysts were determined electrochemically using a conventional three‐electrode cell via cyclic voltammetry with a rotating disc electrode, the results of which indicated that the synthesized catalysts had a marked electrocatalytic activity towards ORR in acid media. Among the synthesized catalysts, that functionalized using 2,4,6‐tris(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine as nitrogen source had the highest electrocatalytic activity with the highest onset potential (0.98 V/SHE) and limiting current density (5.12 mA cm⁻²). The findings are particularly important to determine a non‐precious metal catalyst for ORR activity in fuel cells.     

Pig Bone Derived Hierarchical Porous Carbon‐Supported Platinum Nanoparticles with Superior Electrocatalytic Activity Towards Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Hierarchical porous carbon (HPC) with nitrogen doped three dimension open macropore structure was prepared from pig bone, and applied for the support material for platinum nanoparticle (Pt NP) electrocatalyst. Compared with carbon black supported Pt NP electrocatalysts, the Pt/HPC exhibited larger electrochemical active surface area and enhanced catalytic properties for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in terms of on‐set potential, current density, mass activity and stability. The superior catalytic activity is mainly attributed to the high surface area, hierarchical porous structures and the nitrogen‐doped surface properties of the HPC, indicating it is a promising support material for the ORR electrocatalysts.     

Paper-derived cobalt and nitrogen co-doped carbon nanotube@porous carbon as a nonprecious metal electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a vitally important process in fuel cells. The development of high-performance and low-cost ORR electrocatalysts with outstanding stability is essential for the commercialization of the electrochemical energy technology. Herein, we report a facile synthesis of cobalt (Co) and nitrogen (N) co-doped carbon nanotube@porous carbon (Co/N/CNT@PC-800) electrocatalyst through a one-step pyrolysis of waste paper, dicyandiamide, and cobalt(II) acetylacetonate. The surface of the hierarchical porous carbon supported a large number of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which were derived from dicyandiamide through the catalysis of Co. The addition of Co resulted in the formation of a hierarchical micro/mesoporous structure, which was beneficial for the exposure of active sites and rapid transportation of ORR-relevant species (O₂, H⁺, OH^?, and H₂O). The doped N and Co formed more active sites to enhance the ORR activity of the electrocatalyst. The Co/N/CNT@PC-800 material exhibited optimal ORR performance with an onset potential of 0.005 V vs. Ag/AgCl and a half-wave potential of –0.173 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Meanwhile, the electrocatalyst showed an excellent methanol tolerance and a long-term operational durability than that of Pt/C, as well as a quasi-four-electron reaction pathway. The low-cost and simple synthesis approach makes the Co/N/CNT@PC-800 a prospective electrocatalyst for the ORR. Furthermore, this work provides an alternative approach for exploring the use of biomass-derived electrocatalysts for renewable energy applications.     

A comparative study on properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified with acids and oxyfluorination

In this study, the surface modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with acid and oxyfluorination has been examined. Acid treatment of multi-walled CNTs produces many functionalized groups on the surface of MWCNTs, such as C-N stretching and the asymmetric carboxylate group (-COO-). It can be concluded that nitrogen doping of the graphite sheets may take place and a C-N bond identical to the sp³-bonded carbon nitride may form during the acid treatment process. In addition, oxyfluorinated MWCNTs exhibit higher BET specific surface area and mesopore volume than those of the as-received and acid treated MWCNTs. Therefore, acid and oxyfluorination treatments are more effective methods for enhancing the chemical and textural properties of MWCNTs.     

Tungsten‐Doped L10‐PtCo Ultrasmall Nanoparticles as a High‐Performance Fuel Cell Cathode

The commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) relies on highly active and stable electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acid media. The most successful catalysts for this reaction are nanostructured Pt‐alloy with a Pt‐skin. The synthesis of ultrasmall and ordered L1₀‐PtCo nanoparticle ORR catalysts further doped with a few percent of metals (W, Ga, Zn) is reported. Compared to commercial Pt/C catalyst, the L1₀‐W‐PtCo/C catalyst shows significant improvement in both initial activity and high‐temperature stability. The L1₀‐W‐PtCo/C catalyst achieves high activity and stability in the PEMFC after 50 000 voltage cycles at 80 °C, which is superior to the DOE 2020 targets. EXAFS analysis and density functional theory calculations reveal that W doping not only stabilizes the ordered intermetallic structure, but also tunes the Pt‐Pt distances in such a way to optimize the binding energy between Pt and O intermediates on the surface.     

Carbon Nanodots as Electrocatalysts towards the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Electrocatalysts perform a key role in increasing efficiency of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and as a result, efforts have been made by the scientific community to develop novel and cheap materials that have the capability to exhibit low ORR overpotentials and allow the reaction to occur via a 4 electron pathway, thereby mimicking as close as possible to traditionally utilised platinum. In that context, two different types of carbon nanodots (CNDs) with amide (CND‐CONH₂) and carboxylic (CND‐COOH) surface groups, have herein been fabricated and shown to exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the ORR in acid and basic media (0.1 M H₂SO₄ and 0.1 M KOH). CND surface modified carbon screen‐printed electrodes allow for a facile electrode modification and enabling the study of the CNDs electrocatalytic activity towards the ORR. CND‐COOH modified SPEs are found to exhibit improved ORR peak current and reduced overpotential by 21.9 % and 26.3 %, respectively compared to bare/unmodified SPEs. Additionally, 424 μg cm⁻² CND‐COOH modified SPEs in oxygenated 0.1 M KOH are found to facilitate the ORR via a near optimal 4 (3.8) electron ORR pathway. The CNDs also exhibited excellent long‐term stability and tolerance with no degradation being observed in the achievable current with the ORR current returning to the baseline level within 100 seconds of exposure to a 1.5 M solution of methanol. In summary, the CND‐COOH could be utilised as a cathodic electrode for PEMFCs offering greater stability than a commercial Pt electrode.