Towards Synergy of rGO and Ni doped CeO2 in their copmposite as Efficient Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

AbstractThe persistently increasing energy consumption and the deficiency of conventional fuels have raised serious concern in the recent years. The advanced energy conversion technologies like fuel cells have been benefitted by the development of suitable catalytic materials that can effectively carry out appropriate electrochemical processes like oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Direct Methanol Fuel cells (DMFCs) act as an energy conversion device and the efficiency can be enhanced with active ORR catalysts. Here, we have reported the ORR activity of Ni doped CeO2/rGO synthesized by microwave mediated hydrothermal method. We have observed that the synergistic interaction between Ni doped CeO2 and rGO is responsible for the enhanced ORR activity. The optimized 5% Ni‐CeO2/rGO was evaluated as the most efficient ORR catalyst among all other composites with onset ORR potential −0.17 V vs. Ag/AgCl and limiting current density 3.67 mA/cm2. The 5% Ni‐CeO2/rGO catalyst showed better stability and methanol tolerant when compared with commercial Pt/C.