Hierarchical Co3O4 decorated PPy nanocasting core-shell nanospheres as a high performance electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation. (1st February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khalafallah, Diab; Alothman, Othman Y.; Fouad, H.; Abdelrazek Khalil, Khalil
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 43:Number 5(2018)
• Page Start: 2742
• Page End: 2753
• Publication Date: 2018-02-01
• Subjects: Cobalt oxide -- Core-shell like PPy/Co3O4 -- Nanospheres -- Methanol oxidation reaction -- Electrocatalysis; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.12.091
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: In recent times, much attention has been paid to explore economic and highly active precious metal free electrocatalysts for energy conversion and storage systems due to the expensiveness of Pt-based catalysts. Here we developed a mesoporous core-shell like nanospheres composed of a metallic cobalt oxide core wrapped with a polypyrrole nanoshell (PPy/Co3 O4 ) for methanol electrooxidation. The performance of the core-shell PPy/Co3 O4 nanospheres as anodic catalyst material was measured in 1 M KOH electrolyte and the results obtained demonstrated that the hybrid possesses high catalytic activity in terms of current density and onset voltage. The core-shell PPy/Co3 O4 delivers an oxidation current density of ∼111 mA/cm 2 at 0.5 V with superior stability long run stability. The observed electrocatalytic performance of the porous PPy/Co3 O4 nanospheres is attributed to the integrative effects of both Co-species and layered carbon shell and presence of exceptionally numerous mesopores. Results show evidence that the earth abundant PPy/Co3 O4 provide a potential electrode material for methanol electrooxidation with a satisfactory reaction activity. Graphical abstract: Highlights: A mesoporous core-shell like nanospheres has been developed for methanol oxidation reaction. The core-shell PPy/Co3 O4 composite exhibits improved electrocatalytic performances. The smart mesoporous property enabled facile diffusion of electrolyte ions. The earth abundant PPy/Co3 O4 holds a potential as promising electrode for methanol.