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