Boosted Electrocatalytic Glucose Oxidation Reaction on Noble-Metal-Free MoO₃-Decorated Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

Electrocatalytic glucose oxidation reaction (GOR) has attracted much attention owing to its crucial role in biofuel cell fabrication. Herein, we load MoO₃ nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and use a discharge process to prepare a noble-metal-free MC-60 catalyst containing MoO₃, Mo₂C, and a Mo₂C–MoO₃ interface. In the GOR, MC-60 shows activity as high as 745 µA/(mmol/L cm²), considerably higher than those of the Pt/CNT (270 µA/(mmol/L cm²)) and Au/CNT catalysts (110 µA/(mmol/L cm²)). In the GOR, the response minimum on MC-60 is as low as 8 µmol/L, with a steady-state response time of only 3 s. Moreover, MC-60 has superior stability and anti-interference ability to impurities in the GOR. The better performance of MC-60 in the GOR is attributed to the abundant Mo sites bonding to C and O atoms at the MoO₃–Mo₂C interface. These Mo sites create active sites for promoting glucose adsorption and oxidation, enhancing MC-60 performance in the GOR. Thus, these results help to fabricate more efficient noble-metal-free catalysts for the fabrication of glucose-based biofuel cells.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Interface effect / Electrocatalysis / Molybdenum oxide / Glucose / Oxidation reaction

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