MoS2/Ni3S2/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanostructure as an Electrocatalyst for Alcohol Fuel Cells

Parisa Salarizadeh,Mohammad Bagher Askari,Antonio Di Bartolomeo

doi:10.1021/acsanm.1c03946

Abstract

The development of active and stable catalysts is essential for the commercialization of direct alcohol fuel cells. In this work, we introduce a MoS2/Ni3S2/rGO catalyst as a cost-effective, stable, and high-performance catalyst for application in alcohol fuel cells. MoS2/Ni3S2 and its hybrid with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are synthesized and evaluated as nanocatalysts in the alcohol (methanol and ethanol) electro-oxidation process in alkaline media. The effects of temperature and scanning rate are investigated. Voltammetry results show that MoS2/Ni3S2/rGO has good catalytic efficiency and excellent stability of 106 and 104% after 200 consecutive CV cycles for MOR and EOR, respectively. The synergic effect of starfish Ni3S2 and the coated porous MoS2 facilitates the absorption of hydroxyl ions and alcohols on the surface of the catalyst, while rGO enlarges the specific surface area and the electrical conductivity of the electrocatalyst.

Highlights

The scarcity and depletion of fossil fuel resources, pollution caused by overuse of these fuels, and their destructive effects on the environment have posed a major problem.[1]
MoS2/Ni3S2 and MoS2/Ni3S2/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) catalysts were successfully prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method
The good electrocatalytic performance of the MoS2/Ni3S2/rGO catalyst was proved by the efficient electrooxidation of methanol and ethanol in an alkaline medium

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The scarcity and depletion of fossil fuel resources, pollution caused by overuse of these fuels, and their destructive effects on the environment have posed a major problem.[1]. Platinum is an excellent catalyst and has shown superior electrocatalytic activity in alcohol oxidation processes.[12] Pt is expensive and rare, so it is not a cost-effective electrocatalyst for methanol/ethanol electro-oxidation (MOR/ EOR) It is poisoned at moderate temperatures by CO.[13] For this reason, the development of Pt-free catalysts for use in the anode of these fuel cells has been pursued by researchers. MoS2/ Ni3S2/rGO has not been studied for use in both MOR and EOR processes so far

EXPERIMENTAL SECTION

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSIONS

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