One-step synthesis of unique catalyst Ni9S8@C for excellent MOR performances

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2019-09, Vol.44 (45), p.24525-24533
• Main Authors: Hussain, Shahid, Ullah, Nabi, Zhang, Yingyi, Shaheen, Asma, Javed, Muhammad Sufyan, Lin, Liyang, Zulfiqar, Shah, Syed Bilal, Liu, Guiwu, Qiao, Guanjun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrocatalyst; MOR; Ni9S8@C; One-pot synthesis; Outstanding stability
• ISSN: 0360-3199
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.07.190

A novel Ni9S8/C electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) is synthesized by a simple, cost-effective and one-pot strategy. The electrocatalyst Ni9S8 composed of micro and nanoparticles encapsulated inside carbon layers serves as carbon-supporter and fast ion and electron mobilization through the Ni9S8/C support materials. The sizes of Ni9S8/C nanoparticles range from 2.4 to 7.99 nm, reveals large surface area availability with plenty of active sites for electro-oxidation of methanol. The oxidation performance of electrocatalyst is determined in different solution of methanol and alcohol at various scan rates. At a scan rate of 50 mV s−1, the Ni9S8/C catalyst delivers total 52 mA cm−2 current density for 1.75 V potential (vs RHE) for 1 M KOH and 0.5 M methanol. The electrocatalyst shows low Rct circle and linear chronoamperometric graph for 5000 s, which demonstrate the outstanding stability of the electrocatalyst for methanol electro-oxidation reaction. The Ni9S8/C a novel electrocatalyst for MOR was prepared by simple pyrolysis method a low temperature of 700 °C. The Ni9S8/C was first time applied for MOR characterization and deliver satisfied response. The carbon is used as supporter which exhibite micre and nano particles of Ni9S8, where the nanosize particeles are the actual active site for MOR. The carbon act as supporter and ease the transport of electron during MOR. [Display omitted] •A novel Ni9S8/C electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) by one-pot strategy.•The embedded Ni9S8 nano particles inside the carbon served as carbon-supporter and ease electron movement.•The catalyst delivers shows 52 mA cm−2 @ 1.75 V potential (vs RHE) for 1 M KOH.•Low Rct with outstanding stability, linear graph of chronoamperometric for 5000 s.