Rhodium Nanoflowers on Three-Dimensional Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets/Graphene Hybrid Aerogels as Electrocatalysts for Methanol Oxidation

Abstract

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are considered as one of efficient energy generation systems, while the high cost and unsatisfactory poison resistance of the anode Pt catalysts largely hampered their widespread applications. In this work, we present the design and construction of flower-shaped Rh crystal-decorated three-dimensional (3D) hybrid aerogels built from graphene and graphitic carbon nitride nanolayers (Rh/G-CN) by means of solvothermal coassembly. Benefitting from the 3D cross-linked porosity, massive exposed active sites, uniform Rh nanoflower distribution, and excellent conductivity, the optimized Rh/G-CN aerogel exhibits a large electrochemically active surface area of 161.7 m2 g–1, a high forward peak current density of 701.0 mA mg–1, and an excellent lifespan for methanol electro-oxidation, which are significantly superior to those properties for Rh particle catalysts deposited on carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and N-doped graphene matrixes.

Stereoassembly of ultrasmall Rh-decorated zeolite imidazolate framework–MXene heterostructures for boosted methanol oxidation reaction

“…with large specic surface areas have been employed as substrates to load noble metal catalysts to restrain their particle sizes and improve dispersion efficiency. [22][23][24][25] However, the inherent chemical inertia from carbon-based materials is partly an impediment to the enhancement in the catalytic performance of these composites. [26][27][28] Lately, two-dimensional (2D) Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene nanosheets have become a hot research topic in the electrocatalysis eld by virtue of their large accessible surface area, rich and tunable chemistry, high hydrophilicity, and excellent metallic conductivity.…”

LaCoO3 Perovskite Nanoparticles Embedded in NiCo2O4 Nanoflowers as Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution

“…Environmental degradation and energy crises due to the overburning of fossil fuels for sustainable progress are major concerns these days. , To address these issues, various technologies, such as CO 2 reduction, methanol oxidation, , rechargeable metal–air batteries, , and water electrolysis, − have been developed to date to convert and store green energies. Among them, an important oxygen evolution reaction (OER) process occurring on the anode for energy conversion systems follows the dawdling dynamics due to the involvement of 4OH – and 4e – transfer processes, which due to high overpotential reduces energy efficiency. , Therefore, there is a compelling need for electrocatalysts to accelerate this process.…”

Ultrafine Rh nanocrystals immobilized on 3D boron and nitrogen co-doped graphene–carbon nanotube networks: high-efficiency electrocatalysts towards the methanol oxidation reaction

“…25,26 To overcome the above barrier, Rh catalysts are usually combined with a series of carbon supporting materials with a large specific surface area and excellent electrical conductivity, such as carbon black, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene. 27,28 Among them, graphene is considered as an excellent support due to its unique 2D lamellar structure and stable chemical properties. 29,30 However, since the anchoring sites on the pristine graphene surface are randomly distributed, the direct loading of Rh nanocrystals on graphene often leads to an unsatisfying Rh dispersion.…”