Nickel nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped honeycomb-like carbon frameworks for effective methanol oxidation

Abstract

In this work, nitrogen-doped honeycomb-like carbon framework (CNFs) is synthesized by a low-cost and scalable method. Ni nanoparticles are then supported on CNFs (CNFs–Ni) as a catalyst for methanol oxidation. In addition to the enhanced mass activity, both the onset and oxidation peak potentials of CNFs–Ni for methanol oxidation shift negatively in comparison to its non-doped counterpart, CFs–Ni. We propose that the small particle size, uniform dispersion, and electronic effect arising from the electron interactions between CNFs and Ni contribute to the improved electrocatalytic performance.