NiMoO4 nanorods derives carbon layers wrapped NiCo alloy decorated with Mo2C platinum-based catalyst for efficient methanol electrooxidation

Abstract

To the aim of accelerate the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), rationally designing novel MOR catalyst is highly desired. Hence, NiCo alloy resides in carbon layers decorated with Mo2C platinum-based catalyst (Pt/NiCo-Mo2C@NDC) is fabricate. For the fabrication, NiMoO4 nanorods (NRs) are firstly coated with CoZn-ZIF and then subjected to anneal treatment and NaBH4 reduction procedure. In the system, CoZn-ZIF serves as the sacrificial template and reducing agent, rendering bifunctional effect: CoZn-ZIF provides doped nitrogen sources, which are beneficial to the overall conductivity and deposition of Pt nanoparticles. Besides, it could act as the carbon sources for the reaction formation of the Mo2C during high temperature calcination, which delivers the excellent co-catalytic effect. Meanwhile, NiCo alloy can be fabricated during the annealing treatment and alter the structure properties of the catalyst, showing the Ni content-depended electrochemical performance. Therefore, the catalyst exhibits remarkable electrocatalytic activity and stability. Moreover, we also focus on the structure-activity relationships to provide insight into the effect of alloy and molybdenum carbide on catalytic activity.