NiCo-loaded carbon nanofibers obtained by electrospinning: Bifunctional behavior as air electrodes. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alegre, C.; Modica, E.; Di Blasi, A.; Di Blasi, O.; Busacca, C.; Ferraro, M.; Aricò, A.S.; Antonucci, V.; Baglio, V.
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 125(2018)
• Page Start: 250
• Page End: 259
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Bifunctional catalysts -- Metal-air batteries -- Air electrodes -- Carbon nanofibers -- Transition metal oxides; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2018.02.089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, carbon nanofibers (CNF) synthesized by electrospinning are loaded with a combination of nickel and cobalt, both in the metallic and oxide forms (NiCo-loaded CNF), and studied as bifunctional air electrodes for metal-air batteries. The performance of the NiCo-loaded CNF sample is compared with a similarly prepared CoOCo/CNF catalyst both for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions. The combination of nickel and cobalt, both in metallic and oxide form, leads to a bifunctional catalyst with a half-wave potential for the ORR of 874 mV vs. RHE and a reversibility (ΔEOER-ORR ) of 764 mV. The stability of the catalyst is assessed by means of a 24 h chronopotentiometric test at −80 mA cm −2 and charge-discharge cycles (30 min each) at ±20 mA cm −2 . NiCo-loaded CNF shows a remarkable stability, maintaining a constant potential during both tests. Highlights: NiCo-loaded electrospun carbon nanofibers are investigated for ORR and OER. NiCo-loaded CNF shows a superior reversible behavior than state-of-the-art catalysts. NiCo-loaded CNF bifunctional catalyst shows a remarkable stability.