Oxygen Reduction Catalysis at Anthraquinone Centres Molecularly Wired Via Carbon Nanotubes

C.E. Banks, G.G. Wildgoose, C.G.R. Heald, and R.G. Compton*

Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom

(Received 14 November 2004, Accepted 2 February 2005)

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been chemically derivatised via the reduction of anthraquinone-1-diazonium chloride with hypophosphorous acid to attach 1-anthraquinonyl groups to the MWCNTs, most likely at edge plane like defects. The covalently attached quinone moiety attached to the nanotubes (‘molecular wire’) acts as an effective mediator for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen.

Keywords: Anthraquinone, Oxygen reduction, Multi-walled carbon nanotubes, Edge plane defects