A cobalt nanoparticle ion-implantation-modified indium tin oxide electrode for direct electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol in alkaline media

Abstract

In this work, cobalt-nanoparticles (CoNPs) were prepared on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode by ion implantation, which is a novel, low-cost and environmentally friendly process. Then, the CoNP/ITO electrode was annealed at 300 °C for 2 h in a Muffle furnace, forming the annealed-CoNP/ITO electrode. The morphology and composition of the CoNPs and annealed-CoNPs were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Their electrocatalytic performance was also studied by electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) under optimized conditions. Compared with the annealed-CoNP/ITO electrode, the result indicates that the CoNP/ITO electrode enhances the electrocatalytic activity and stability for direct methanol oxidation in alkaline media and can be used in fuel cells.