Fabrication of cost-effective non-noble metal supported on conducting polymer composite such as copper/polypyrrole graphene oxide (Cu2O/PPy–GO) as an anode catalyst for methanol oxidation in DMFC. (21st June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pattanayak, Prasanta; Pramanik, Nilkamal; Kumar, Piyush; Kundu, Patit Paban
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 43:Number 25(2018)
• Page Start: 11505
• Page End: 11519
• Publication Date: 2018-06-21
• Subjects: Graphene oxide -- Polypyrrole -- Copper (Cu2O) nanoparticles -- Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs); Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.04.300
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Cost-effective non-noble metal catalysts are of key significance to the successful use of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) for electricity generation. Herein, cuprous oxide nanoparticles (Cu2 O NPs) supported graphene oxide (GO), polypyrrole (PPy) and polypyrrole–graphene oxide (PPy–GO) matrices were prepared using borohydride reduction method. The prepared catalysts were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–Vis spectra, Zeta potential and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The elemental analysis of the composites was done by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Cu2 O NPs were homogeneously dispersed and strongly anchored on the PPy grafted GO matrix and this was examined through morphological analysis. The Cu2 O/PPy–GO (80:10:10) NPs exhibited noticeable improvement in electrochemical performance in comparison to pure graphene oxide (GO) and pure PPy supported Cu2 O NPs catalyst and revealed the peak current density of 300 μA cm −2 at +0.68 V. The Cu2 O/PPy–GO system demonstrated higher current density and also exhibited greater stability in comparison to the commercial Pt–Ru/C catalyst as characterized by chronoamperometry (CA) analysis. This prospective nano-catalyst showed higher IF /IB ratio (26%, 8.6% and 19%) compared to the corresponding catalyst systems of Cu2 O/GO, Cu2 O/PPy and Pt–Ru/C. In direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), the efficiency of Cu2 O/PPy–GO nano-catalyst system as an anode catalyst for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) was investigated and the result revealed a maximum current density of 155 mA cm −2 at +0.2 V and power density of 31 mW cm −2 . Hence, Cu2 O/PPy–GO NPs are a cost-effective alternative for Pt–Ru/C system to execute practical application in DMFC. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Cu2 O nanocatalyst was employed as non-noble metal catalyst for methanol oxidation. The polypyrrole–graphene oxide composite emerged as the effective catalyst support. The electrode showed an excellent activity for methanol oxidation reaction. Cu2 O/PPy–GO exhibited superior DMFC performance as compared to Pt–Ru/C.