Synthesis and characterization of Nickel sulfide and Nickel sulfide/Molybdenum disulfide nanocomposite modified ITO electrode as efficient anode for methanol electrooxidation

Abstract

The synthesis of cheap and efficient materials for developing fuel cells is challenging for researchers. In this study, nickel sulfide nanoparticles (NiS NPs) and nickel sulfide/molybdenum disulfide (NiS/MoS2) nanocomposite modified ITO electrodes were synthesized based on a simple and facile hydrothermal method. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, SEM, FTIR, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis were used to study the morphologies, structures, and phase identification of the electrocatalysts. The electrocatalytic activities of the modified electrodes towards the methanol oxidation reaction were also evaluated based on the cyclic voltammetry technique. The results indicated that NiS/MoS2 exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity towards the methanol electrooxidation in alkaline media that could be attributed to the uses of MoS2 with high surface area, which facilitates the diffusion of methanol molecules. Thus, the NiS/MoS2 is a good candidate for application in the direct methanol fuel cell.