Issue 42, 2019

Self-template synthesis of defect-rich NiO nanotubes as efficient electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction

Abstract

Developing robust and inexpensive non-noble metal based anode electrocatalysts is highly desirable for alkaline direct methanol fuel cells (ADMFCs). Herein, we successfully develop a facile self-template synthetic strategy for gram-grade porous NiO nanotubes (NTs) by pyrolyzing a nanorod-like Ni-dimethylglyoxime complex. The pyrolysis temperature highly correlates with the morphology and crystallinity of NiO NTs. The optimal NiO NTs exhibit a large electrochemically active surface area, a fast catalytic kinetics, and a small charge transfer resistance, which induce an outstanding electrocatalytic activity for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). Compared with conventional NiO nanoparticles, NiO NTs achieve a 11.5-fold increase in mass activity at 1.5 V for the MOR due to nanotubal morphology and abundant non-vacancy defects on the NiO NT surface. Moreover, NiO NTs have a higher electrocatalytic activity for the intermediates of the MOR (such as formaldehyde and formate) than conventional NiO nanoparticles, which also contribute to MOR activity enhancement. Given the facile synthesis and enhanced electrocatalytic performance, NiO NTs may be promising anode electrocatalysts for ADMFCs.

Graphical abstract: Self-template synthesis of defect-rich NiO nanotubes as efficient electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
24 jul 2019
Accepted
23 sep 2019
First published
23 sep 2019

Nanoscale, 2019,11, 19783-19790

Self-template synthesis of defect-rich NiO nanotubes as efficient electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction

T. Wang, H. Huang, X. Wu, H. Yao, F. Li, P. Chen, P. Jin, Z. Deng and Y. Chen, Nanoscale, 2019, 11, 19783 DOI: 10.1039/C9NR06304H

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