CuNi2O4/MWCNTs nanocatalyst for methanol and ethanol electro-oxidation

Abstract

The widespread use of cheap and efficient catalysts in energy storage and production in electrochemical processes led our research team to the synthesis and evaluation of CuNi2O4/MWCNTs nanocatalyst for alcohol oxidation. Nanocatalyst was characterized in terms of structure and morphology by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). The ability of CuNi2O4/MWCNTs was evaluated with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) analyses in the oxidation process of methanol and ethanol alcohols in alkaline media. The optimal concentration of methanol and ethanol for CuNi2O4/MWCNTs and CuNi2O4 was obtained to investigate the methanol oxidation reaction and ethanol oxidation reaction processes. The mechanism of these processes was also evaluated in detail. The stability of both nanocatalysts was investigated by performing several consecutive CVs and in 3600 s by chronoamperometric analysis. The results showed the good stability of this catalyst. The synergistic effect of placing CuNi2O4 on the surface of carbon nanotubes improved the oxidation process of methanol and ethanol. In general, the proposed catalyst can be an efficient, stable, and cheap option and at the same time very stable for use in alcohol fuel cells.