Synthesis of MCM‐41 mesoporous silica nanoparticles supported titanium dioxide‐silver nanocomposite with excellent methanol electrooxidation performance

Abstract

AbstractConsidering the importance of the fuel cells, we developed an appropriate and efficient electrode system for electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol by fabricating the electrode with naturally based synthesized mobil composition of matter No. 41 (MCM‐41) mesoporous silica nanoparticle along with silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The extracted silica from natural stem straw was applied in the synthesis of MCM‐41 mesoporous silica nanoparticle and characterization of the products was performed by different techniques. Then, the synthesized MCM‐41 mesoporous silica is modified by silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles and is employed in the fabrication of the modified carbon paste electrodes (Ag/TiO2/MCM‐41/CPE) that are accordingly used in the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol. The mechanistic and kinetic studies of the reactions are thoroughly examined based on cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques. The results reveal that the modified carbon paste electrode with silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles supported onto MCM‐41 mesoporous silica exhibit much higher current densities and less overpotentials than that at the bare carbon paste electrode. The results of the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol are then compared to the literature indicating that the developed system is favorable for the direct methanol fuel cells.