Spiral effect of helical carbon nanorods boosting electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction reaction

Helical metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were used as templates or precursors to fabricate helical carbon nanorods (HCNRs) for the first time. contains many topological defects such pentagonal heptagonal carbons, which have potential facilitate oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). HCNRs show more positive onset/half-wave potentials and higher limited current density than straight (SCNRs). They also exhibit four-electron in tests of ORR, while alternative SCNRs prefer a two-electron mechanism. Experimental theoretical studies reveal that these enhanced ORR activities can be attributed pentagon/heptagon HCNRs. This work provides an effective strategy synthesize helical, defect-rich materials opens up new perspective utilization spiral effect development electrocatalysts.