Catalytic and capacity properties of nanocomposites based on cobalt oxide and nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers

The nanocomposites based on cobalt oxide and nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers (N-CNFs) with cobalt oxide contents of 10–90 wt% were examined as catalysts in the CO oxidation and supercapacity electrodes. Depending on Co3O4 content, such nanocomposites have different morphologies of cobalt oxide nanoparticles, distributions over the bulk, and ratios of Co3+/Co2+ cations. The 90%Co3C4-N-CNFs nanocomposite showed the best activity because of the increased concentration of defects in N-CNFs. The capacitance of electrodes containing 10% Co3c4-N-CNFs was 95 F/g, which is 1.7 times higher than electrodes made from N-CNFs.