Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

The design and development of an economic and highly active non-precious electrocatalyst for methanol electrooxidation and energy storage applications are challenging due to expensiveness of the precursors as well as processes and non-ecofriendliness. In this study, a facile preparation of core-shel...

The design and development of an economic and highly active non-precious electrocatalyst for methanol electrooxidation and energy storage applications are 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/cm2 and a lower onset potential of 0.128 V in 1.0 M KOH with as high as 5.0 M methanol. Further, the as prepared NiCo2O4/MWCNTs has been successfully applied for supercapacitor applications. Its showed a maximum specific capacitance of 822 F/g at 5.0 mV/s scan rate. The impressive electrochemical properties of the NiCo2O4/MWCNTs is promising for development of direct methanol fuel cell based on non-Pt catalysts as well as supercapacitor applications.

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