Abstract
In this work, three nanoparticle samples, Ni4Co2Pt/CNFs, Ni5CoPt/CNFs and Ni6Pt/CNFs, were designed according to the molar ratio during loading on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) using electrospinning and carbonization at 900 °C for 7 h in an argon atmosphere. The metal loading and carbon ratio were fixed at 20 and 80 wt%, respectively. Various analysis tools were used to investigate the chemical composition, structural, morphological, and electrochemical (EC) properties. For samples with varying Co%, the carbonization process reduces the fiber diameter of the obtained electrospun nanofibers from 200–580 nm to 150–200 nm. The EDX mapping revealed that nickel, platinum, and cobalt were evenly and uniformly incorporated into the carbonized PVANFs. The prepared Ni-Co-Pt/CNFs have a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure with slightly increased crystallite size as the Co% decreased. The electrocatalytic properties of the samples were investigated for ethanol, methanol and urea electrooxidation. Using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance measurements, the catalytic performance and electrode stability were investigated as a function of electrolyte concentration, scan rate, and reaction time. When Co is added to Ni, the activation energy required for the electrooxidation reaction decreases and the electrode stability increases. In 1.5 M methanol, the Ni5CoPt/CNFs electrode showed the lowest onset potential and the highest current density (30.6 A/g). This current density is reduced to 28.2 and 21.2 A/g for 1.5 M ethanol and 0.33 M urea, respectively. The electrooxidation of ethanol, methanol, and urea using our electrocatalysts is a combination of kinetic/diffusion control limiting reactions. This research provided a unique approach to developing an efficient Ni-Co-Pt-based electrooxidation catalyst for ethanol, methanol and urea.
Highlights
We suggest the design of a particulate nanocomposite from Ni and Co with a limited ratio of Pt (3%) and the use of a low-cost supporting nanofibrous for the mass production of a low-cost nano electrocatalyst toward the design of commercial fuel cells
The polymer is transformed into carbon nanofibers [50], with metallic nanoparticles being distributed over them
The current density is decreased from 0.24 A/g to 0.17 A/g for urea as the time increased from 7 s to 1000 s before reaching a stable production rate. This demonstrates that the S3 electrode has great chemical stability and a long lifetime as a working electrooxidation electrode, despite the initial drop in current density i.e., these findings suggest that using Co as a co-catalyst to boost the electrocatalytic activity of Ni/Ag catalysts has significant benefits
Summary
Energy is a crucial factor that affects both economic progress and human survival. Concerns about human health and environmental hazards have grown significantly in recent decades. Many of these problems, such as acid rain, ozone depletion, and global climate change, are related to energy production, transformation, and consumption. Energy supplies are running out, prompting a greater desire to find clean renewable alternative fuels. Polymer-electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are a potential solution for producing clean energy. PEMFCs have received a lot of attention due to their high efficiency, high power density, ease of scale-up, and low operating temperatures [1]. The high cost of Pt catalysts, combined with limited resources, has sparked interest in Nanomaterials 2022, 12, 492.
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