Abstract
In this work a novel bimetallic nickel oxide/copper oxide metal–organic framework (NiO/CuO MOF) has been developed by using two linkers: Benzene Dicarboxylic acid (BDC) and Pyrazine. The composites of NiO/CuO MOF with different amounts of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were synthesized through a hydrothermal method and subsequently characterized by multiple significant techniques like XRD, SEM, EDX, FTIR and Raman IR for an investigation of their structural and morphological properties. The prepared series of material was later employed for electrochemical oxidation of methanol, tested by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in basic medium on a modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electrochemical response depicts that increasing concentration of rGO enhances the electrocatalytic activity of the catalyst for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The catalyzed oxidation reaction of methanol by NiO/CuO MOF and rGO-NiO/CuO MOF composites give a superlative current density of 437. 28 mA/cm2 at 0.9 V potential at 50 mV/s scan rate. This activity makes it a promising catalytic material for electrolysis of methanol in direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).
Highlights
Fuel cells are promising candidates to provide sustainable and efficient energy supply for advanced portable electrical vehicles and electronic devices [1]
The kinetics of methanol oxidation slow down the adsorption of carbon monoxide on Pt surface; when Pt interacts with oxygen containing carbon species produced in methanol, oxidation is so strong that active sites of Pt are covered and blocked which lead to recession of activity [12,13,14]
Electrochemical measurements were performed by using three techniques (cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Chronoamperometry) in 1M NaOH + 3M CH3OH through a conventional three-electrode system supported by Gamry instrument with Reference 3000/3000AE which was equipped with data acquisition software version 7.06
Summary
Fuel cells are promising candidates to provide sustainable and efficient energy supply for advanced portable electrical vehicles and electronic devices [1]. A catalysis reaction occurs between fuel (methanol, ethanol and molecular hydrogen) at anode and molecular oxygen at cathode, which converts chemical energy into electrical energy via electrochemical processes [2] These cells have proved ideal energy conversion devices and assured appropriate electrical supply for the generation of power. The kinetics of methanol oxidation slow down the adsorption of carbon monoxide on Pt surface; when Pt interacts with oxygen containing carbon species (mainly CO) produced in methanol, oxidation is so strong that active sites of Pt are covered and blocked which lead to recession of activity [12,13,14] These obstacles have been reduced by non-precious and more economical metal catalysts like nickel-, iron-, cobalt- and copper-based compounds and their composites with graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and carbon nano tubes etc. The major purpose of this work is to analyze the electrochemical oxidation reaction of methanol on novel NiO/CuO bimetallic MOF and its composites with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 wt% rGO in a solution of 3M methanol and 1M NaOH
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