Rhodium nanoparticles anchored on 3D metal organic framework-graphene hybrid architectures for high-performance electrocatalysts toward methanol oxidation

Abstract

The development of advanced and efficient anode catalysts to accelerate the kinetic rate of methanol oxidation plays an important role in the large-scale commercial application of the direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Herein, we report the design and construction of small-sized rhodium nanocrystals decorated on 3D hybrid aerogels built from graphene and metal-organic framework (Rh/G-ZIF) via a solvothermal co-assembly method. Benefiting from the 3D rigid crosslinked architecture, abundant porous channels, and highly dispersed ultrafine Rh nanoparticles, the optimized Rh/G-ZIF aerogel exhibits a large electrochemically active surface area, high mass and specific activities, and excellent long-term durability toward the methanol electrooxidation, all of which are significantly superior to those of Rh catalysts supported by traditional carbon materials (such as carbon black, carbon nanotube, and graphene).