Copper Nitride Nanocubes: Size-Controlled Synthesis and Application as Cathode Catalyst in Alkaline Fuel Cells

Copper nitride nanocubes are synthesized in a facile one-phase process. The crystal size could be tuned easily by using different primary amines as capping agents. Such Pt-free nanocrystals exhibit electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction and appear to be promising cathodic electrocatalysts in alkaline fuel cells.