High activity of NiCo2O4 promoted Pt on three-dimensional graphene-like carbon for glycerol electrooxidation in an alkaline medium

Abstract

Spinel oxide NiCo₂O₄ supported on a three-dimensional hierarchically porous graphene-like carbon (3D HPG) material has been firstly used to enhance the activity of Pt for glycerol electrooxidation. The addition of NiCo₂O₄ into the Pt/HPG catalyst can significantly improve the catalytic performance for glycerol oxidation. When NiCo₂O₄ is added to the Pt/HPG catalyst, the onset potential is 25 mV more negative than that on the Pt/HPG catalyst without NiCo₂O₄. The current density at −0.3 V on the Pt–NiCo₂O₄ (wt 10 : 1)/HPG electrode is 1.3 times higher than that on the Pt (30 wt%)/HPG electrode. The Pt–NiCo₂O₄ electrode presented in this work shows great potential as an electrocatalyst for glycerol electrooxidation in an alkaline medium.