Facile Synthesis of Core/Shell-like NiCo2O4-Decorated MWCNTs and its Excellent Electrocatalytic Activity for Methanol Oxidation.

ABSTRACT: The design and development of an economic and highly active non-precious electrocatalyst for methanol electrooxidation is challenging due to expensiveness of the precursors as well as processes and non-ecofriendliness. In this study, a facile preparation of core-shell-like NiCo2O4 decorated MWCNTs based on a dry synthesis technique was proposed. The synthesized NiCo2O4/MWCNTs were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and selected area energy dispersive spectrum. The bimetal oxide nanoparticles with an average size of 6?±?2?nm were homogeneously distributed onto the surface of the MWCNTs to form a core-shell-like nanostructure. The NiCo2O4/MWCNTs exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of methanol in an alkaline solution. The NiCo2O4/MWCNTs exhibited remarkably higher current density of 327?mA/cm(2) and a lower onset potential of 0.128?V in 1.0?M KOH with as high as 5.0?M methanol. The impressive electrocatalytic activity of the NiCo2O4/MWCNTs is promising for development of direct methanol fuel cell based on non-Pt catalysts.

SUBMITTER: Ko TH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4734329 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature