Carbon-supported Au modified N-doped carbon-coated FeMn alloy nanoparticle composites for BH4− electrocatalytic oxidation

Abstract

Carbon-supported Au modified N-doped carbon-coated FeMn alloy nanoparticle composites (Au/FeMn@CN/C) are prepared and used as electrocatalysts for BH₄⁻ electrooxidation. The surface morphology of the Au/FeMn@CN/C is observed using a transmission electron microscope and their composition is analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The results show that the prepared Au/FeMn@CN/C is a three-layer core–shell structure and the FeMn@CN nanosphere is coated with Au nanoparticles. The electrochemical performance of the prepared Au/FeMn@CN/C is studied by electrochemical tests, and the results show that Au₍₅₀₎/FeMn@CN₍₅₀₎/C shows the most excellent performance for direct BH₄⁻ electrooxidation which has more negative overpotential and an electrooxidation current density of up to 46.46 mA cm⁻² with an electron-transfer number of 5.3.