Highly Stable NiCoZn Ternary Mixed-Metal-Oxide Nanorods as a Low-Cost, Non-Noble Electrocatalyst for Methanol Electro-Oxidation in Alkaline Medium

Abstract

There is an imperative necessity to develop low-cost and efficient nanocatalysts as a substitute for expensive and rare noble-metal catalysts such as platinum (Pt) and gold (Au) in overcoming the limitations of carbon monoxide and intermediate poisoning in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Herein, we report a simple, one-step hydrothermal synthesis of NiCoZn ternary mixed-metal-oxide nanorod (NCZMMO)-modified glassy carbon electrode (NCZMMO/GCE) for DMFC application. The NCZMMO/GCE electrode exhibits outstanding electro-oxidation of methanol (MeOH) at a low onset potential of 0.30 V (vs Ag|AgCl) with a high current density of 414 mA/mg in an alkaline medium (1 M KOH). This outstanding performance of the electrode is ascribed to the synergistic outcome of NCZMMO nanorods, where Ni imparts the electrocatalytic active sites for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) through its multiple oxidation states while the excellent mechanical and chemical stability of the electrode is attributed to the oxides of Co and Zn. The electrode exhibits outstanding durability with 75% retention even at 5000 s of chronoamperometry analysis in the presence of 0.5 M MeOH, which is far superior to other reported noble-metal electrocatalysts. This superior performance of NCZMMO frontlines it as a promising non-noble, low-cost electrocatalyst for various energy conversion applications.

Designing In Situ Grown Ternary Oxide/2D Ni-BDC MOF Nanocomposites on Nickel Foam as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Electrochemical Water Splitting

“…In addition, the bands centered at 1364 and 1044 cm –1 corroborated the presence of carbonates . The respective transmittance peaks located at ∼830 and ∼475 cm –1 were associated with Co–O and Ni–O in the framework of ternary oxide. − Eventually, the appeared transmittance peaks at 687 cm –1 for NCM oxides were correlated with Fe–O, Cu–O, and Zn–O bonds, individually …”

“…84−86 Eventually, the appeared transmittance peaks at 687 cm −1 for NCM oxides were correlated with Fe−O, Cu−O, and Zn−O bonds, individually. 83 The right panel of Figure S11 demonstrates the FT-IR spectra recorded for Ni-BDC and its derivative nanocomposites. The observed peaks at 3608 and 3423 cm −1 can be emanated from the stretching vibrations of O−H.…”

Advances in pseudocapacitive and battery-like electrode materials for high performance supercapacitors

“…However, with rapid progress in materials science, mixed metal oxides (from binary to quaternary) have been extensively investigated for pseudocapacitors/battery-type SCs. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Among the conducting polymers, polypyrrole (PPy), polyaniline (PANI), and polythiophene (PTh) are the most promising ones. [21][22][23] Derivatives from these polymers have also been extensively investigated.…”

Dicyanamide Anion-Based Ionic Liquid-Functionalized Graphene-Supported Pt Catalysts for Boosting Methanol Electrooxidation

“…One of the alternatives is to develop non-noble metal electrocatalysts with unique structures and efficient performance. 6,7 In addition, the noble metal catalysts, such as Pt-based and Pd-based catalysts, are still effective electrocatalysts for fuel cells. Extensive efforts have been focused on using carbon supports to enhance the utilization, catalytic activities, and stabilities of noble metals.…”

“…One of the alternatives is to develop non-noble metal electrocatalysts with unique structures and efficient performance. , In addition, the noble metal catalysts, such as Pt-based and Pd-based catalysts, are still effective electrocatalysts for fuel cells. Extensive efforts have been focused on using carbon supports to enhance the utilization, catalytic activities, and stabilities of noble metals. − Carbon supports not only provided a good dispersion for catalysts to greatly improve the utilization of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) but also provided a favorable electron transmission channel for the catalytic reaction to ensure the orderly catalytic process .…”