Structural Design of Nickel Hydroxide for Efficient Urea Electrooxidation

Urea stands as a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. However, not only does urea oxidation reaction technology facilitate energy conversion, but it also significantly contributes to treating wastewater rich in urea. Furthermore, urea electrolysis has a significantly lower theoretical potential (0.37 V) compared to water electrolysis (1.23 V). As an electrochemical reaction, the catalytic efficacy of urea oxidation is largely contingent upon the catalyst employed. Among the plethora of urea oxidation electrocatalysts, nickel-based compounds emerge as the preeminent transition metal due to their cost-effectiveness and heightened activity in urea oxidation. Ni(OH)2 is endowed with manifold advantages, including structural versatility, facile synthesis, and stability in alkaline environments. This review delineates the recent advancements in Ni(OH)2 catalysts for electrocatalytic urea oxidation reaction, encapsulating pivotal research findings in morphology, dopant incorporation, defect engineering, and heterogeneous architectures. Additionally, we have proposed personal insights into the challenges encountered in the research on nickel hydroxide for urea oxidation, aiming to promote efficient urea conversion and facilitate its practical applications.

Nickel and cobalt-based tungstate nanocomposites as promising electrocatalysts in alkaline direct methanol fuel cells

In this work, a non-precious group metal (non-PGM) electrocatalyst based on transition metals is introduced as a promising solution for enhancing the efficiency of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Nickel-cobalt mixed tungstate was prepared using a simple co-precipitation method with different molar ratios of Ni, Co and W. The prepared materials were tested and validated using different characterization techniques. It was observed using SEM that the materials are agglomerated amorphous random circular nanocomposite structures. The electrochemical performance of the prepared electrocatalysts revealed that the best nanocomposite was the one with the Ni : Co : W ratio of 1 : 1 : 1.5 (W1.5). This composite showed a higher current density of 229 mA cm-2 towards methanol oxidation at a scan rate of 50 mV s-1 in 1 M methanol at 0.6 V, with the lowest onset potential of 0.33 V. The obtained results present a new strong non-PGM material for direct methanol electro-oxidation reactions and open new doors for economic and earth-abundant electrocatalysts as an alternative to expensive commercially available catalysts.

One-Step Synthesis of a Binder-Free, Stable, and High-Performance Electrode; Cu-O|Cu3P Heterostructure for the Electrocatalytic Methanol Oxidation Reaction (MOR)

Although direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) have been spotlighted in the past decade, their commercialization has been hampered by the poor efficiency of the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) due to the unsatisfactory performance of currently available electrocatalysts. Herein, we developed a binder-free, copper-based, self-supported electrode consisting of a heterostructure of Cu₃P and mixed copper oxides, i.e., cuprous-cupric oxide (Cu-O), as a high-performance catalyst for the electro-oxidation of methanol. We synthesized a self-supported electrode composed of Cu-O|Cu₃P using a two-furnace atmospheric pressure-chemical vapor deposition (AP-CVD) process. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed the formation of 3D nanocrystals with defects and pores. Cu-O|Cu₃P outperformed the MOR activity of individual Cu₃P and Cu-O owing to the synergistic interaction between them. Cu₃P|Cu-O exhibited a highest anodic current density of 232.5 mAcm^-2 at the low potential of 0.65 V vs. Hg/HgO, which is impressive and superior to the electrocatalytic activity of its individual counterparts. The formation of defects, 3D morphology, and the synergistic effect between Cu₃P and Cu-O play a crucial role in facilitating the electron transport between electrode and electrolyte to obtain the optimal MOR activity. Cu-O|Cu₃P shows outstanding MOR stability for about 3600 s with 100% retention of the current density, which proves its robustness alongside CO intermediate.

Foam Synthesis of Nickel/Nickel (II) Hydroxide Nanoflakes Using Double Templates of Surfactant Liquid Crystal and Hydrogen Bubbles: A High-Performance Catalyst for Methanol Electrooxidation in Alkaline Solution

This work demonstrates the chemical synthesis of two-dimensional nanoflakes of mesoporous nickel/nickel (II) hydroxide (Ni/Ni(OH)₂-NFs) using double templates of surfactant self-assembled thin-film and foam of hydrogen bubbles produced by sodium borohydride reducing agent. Physicochemical characterizations show the formation of amorphous mesoporous 2D nanoflakes with a Ni/Ni(OH)₂ structure and a high specific surface area (165 m²/g). Electrochemical studies show that the electrocatalytic activity of Ni/Ni(OH)₂ nanoflakes towards methanol oxidation in alkaline solution is significantly enhanced in comparison with that of parent bare-Ni(OH)₂ deposited from surfactant-free solution. Cyclic voltammetry shows that the methanol oxidation mass activity of Ni/Ni(OH)₂-NFs reaches 545 A/cm² g_cat at 0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which is more than five times higher than that of bare-Ni(OH)₂. Moreover, Ni/Ni(OH)₂-NFs reveal less charge transfer resistance (10.4 Ω), stable oxidation current density (625 A/cm² g_cat at 0.7 V vs. Ag/AgCl), and resistance to the adsorption of reaction intermediates and products during three hours of constant-potential methanol oxidation electrolysis in alkaline solution. The high-performance electrocatalytic activity of Ni/Ni(OH)₂ nanoflakes is mainly derived from efficient charge transfer due to the high specific surface area of the 2D mesoporous architecture of the nanoflakes, as well as the mass transport of methanol to Ni²⁺/Ni³⁺ active sites throughout the catalyst layer.

Effect of Anode Material on Electrochemical Oxidation of Low Molecular Weight Alcohols-A Review

The growing climate crisis inspires one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century-developing novel power sources. One of the concepts that offer clean, non-fossil electricity production is fuel cells, especially when the role of fuel is played by simple organic molecules, such as low molecular weight alcohols. The greatest drawback of this technology is the lack of electrocatalytic materials that would enhance reaction kinetics and good stability under process conditions. Currently, electrodes for direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) are mainly based on platinum, which not only provides a poor reaction rate but also readily deactivates because of poisoning by reaction products. Because of these disadvantages, many researchers have focused on developing novel electrode materials with electrocatalytic properties towards the oxidation of simple alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol or propanol. This paper presents the development of electrode materials and addresses future challenges that still need to be overcome before direct alcohol fuel cells can be commercialized.

Metal-Based Electrocatalysts for Methanol Electro-Oxidation: Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are among the most promising portable power supplies because of their unique advantages, including high energy density/mobility of liquid fuels, low working temperature, and low emission of pollutants. Various metal-based anode catalysts have been extensively studied and utilized for the essential methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) due to their superior electrocatalytic performance. At present, especially with the rapid advance of nanotechnology, enormous efforts have been exerted to further enhance the catalytic performance and minimize the use of precious metals. Constructing multicomponent metal-based nanocatalysts with precisely designed structures can achieve this goal by providing highly tunable compositional and structural characteristics, which is promising for the modification and optimization of their related electrochemical properties. The recent advances of metal-based electrocatalytic materials with rationally designed nanostructures and chemistries for MOR in DMFCs are highlighted and summarized herein. The effects of the well-defined nanoarchitectures on the improved electrochemical properties of the catalysts are illustrated. Finally, conclusive perspectives are provided on the opportunities and challenges for further refining the nanostructure of metal-based catalysts and improving electrocatalytic performance, as well as the commercial viability.

Recent Developments for the Application of 3D Structured Material Nickel Foam and Graphene Foam in Direct Liquid Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers

Platinum and platinum-based catalysts are some of the most effective catalysts used in fuel cells. However, electrocatalysts used for direct liquid fuel cells (DLFCs) and electrolyzers are high cost and suffer from several other problems, thus hindering their commercialization as power sources to produce clean energy. Common issues in electrocatalysts are low stability and durability, slow kinetics, catalyst poisoning, high catalyst loading, high cost of the catalytic materials, poisoning of the electrocatalysts, and formation of intermediate products during electrochemical reactions. The use of catalyst supports can enhance the catalytic activity and stability of the power sources. Thus, nickel foam and graphene foam with 3D structures have advantages over other catalyst supports. This paper presents the application of nickel foam and graphene foam as catalyst supports that enhance the activities, selectivity, efficiency, specific surface area, and exposure of the active sites of DLFCs. Selected recent studies on the use of foam in electrolyzers are also presented.

A nickel oxide-decorated in situ grown 3-D graphitic forest engrained carbon foam electrode for microbial fuel cells

Carbon foam was used as a substrate for NiO and growing carbon nanofibers. The synthesized NiO-CNF-CF electrode was successfully used as an efficient electrode for a microbial fuel cell.

New Insights into the Electrocatalytic Mechanism of Methanol Oxidation on Amorphous Ni-B-Co Nanoparticles in Alkaline Media

Despite an increased interest in sustainable energy conversion systems, there have been limited studies investigating the electrocatalytic reaction mechanism of methanol oxidation on Ni-based amorphous materials in alkaline media. A thorough understanding of such mechanisms would aid in the development of amorphous catalytic materials for methanol oxidation reactions. In the present work, amorphous Ni-B and Ni-B-Co nanoparticles were prepared by a simple chemical reduction, and their electrocatalytic properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry measurements. The diffusion coefficients (D0) for Ni-B, Ni-B-Co0.02, Ni-B-Co0.05, and Ni-B-Co0.1 nanoparticles were calculated to be 1.28 × 10−9, 2.35 × 10−9, 4.48 × 10−9 and 2.67 × 10−9 cm2 s−1, respectively. The reaction order of methanol in the studied transformation was approximately 0.5 for all studied catalysts, whereas the reaction order of the hydroxide ion was nearly 1. The activation energy (Ea) values of the reaction were also calculated for the Ni-B and Ni-B-Co nanoparticle systems. Based on our kinetic studies, a mechanism for the methanol oxidation reaction was proposed which involved formation of an electrocatalytic layer on the surface of amorphous Ni–B and Ni-B-Co nanoparticles. And methanol and hydroxide ions could diffuse freely through this three-dimensional porous conductive layer.

Self-supported Al-doped cobalt phosphide nanosheets grown on three-dimensional Ni foam for highly efficient water reduction and oxidation

Al-doped CoP nanosheets self-supported on Ni foam are shown to be an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for long-time overall water splitting.

Ultrafine Pt Nanoparticles and Amorphous Nickel Supported on 3D Mesoporous Carbon Derived from Cu-Metal-Organic Framework for Efficient Methanol Oxidation and Nitrophenol Reduction

The development of novel strategy to produce new porous carbon materials is extremely important because these materials have wide applications in energy storage/conversion, mixture separation, and catalysis. Herein, for the first time, a novel 3D carbon substrate with hierarchical pores derived from commercially available Cu-MOF (metal-organic framework) (HKUST-1) through carbonization and chemical etching has been employed as the catalysts' support. Highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles and amorphous nickel were evenly dispersed on the surface or embedded within carbon matrix. The corresponding optimal composite catalyst exhibits a high mass-specific peak current of 1195 mA mg^-1 Pt and excellent poison resistance capacity ( I_F/ I_B = 1.58) for methanol oxidation compared to commercial Pt/C (20%). Moreover, both composite catalysts manifest outstanding properties in the reduction of nitrophenol and demonstrate diverse selectivities for 2/3/4-nitrophenol, which can be attributed to different integrated forms between active species and carbon matrix. This attractive route offers broad prospects for the usage of a large number of available MOFs in fabricating functional carbon materials as well as highly active carbon-based electrocatalysts and heterogeneous organic catalysts.

Facile Synthesis of Cu/NiCu Electrocatalysts Integrating Alloy, Core-Shell, and One-Dimensional Structures for Efficient Methanol Oxidation Reaction

The design and development of low-cost Pt-free, high-active, and durable noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for methanol electrooxidation is highly desirable but remains a challenge. Herein, unique Cu/NiCu nanowires (NWs) integrating alloy, core-shell, and one-dimensional structures are prepared by a facile one-pot strategy. It is found that the Ni-Cu surface alloying structure can effectively change the charge distribution of the atomic configuration, the core-shell structure can be optimized with the usage of Ni and Cu, and the one-dimensional structure can effectively enhance the charge transfer between the electrode surface and the active sites, making the prepared NWs promising electrocatalysts. Detailed catalytic investigations showed that the obtained Cu/NiCu NWs exhibit an enhanced electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The optimized Cu/NiCu NWs in this work show a mass current density of 867.1 mA mg_metal^-1 at 1.55 V (vs. RHE) for MOR, which is far higher than those of Ni-based previously reported electrocatalysts. This work opens up a new pathway for the design and engineering of noble-metal-free alloy electrocatalysts with enhanced activity and durability.

Self-Stable WP/C Support with Excellent Cocatalytic Functionality for Pt: Enhanced Catalytic Activity and Durability for Methanol Electro-Oxidation

To endow catalyst support with excellent stability and cocatalytic activity toward methanol, oxidation reaction (MOR) is an effective way to strengthen the electrocatalytic activity of Pt-based catalysts. Tungsten phosphide/3D-corrugated porous carbon (WP/C) composite as Pt-support and cocatalyst for MOR is prepared via a synchronous synthesis method. Porous 3D-tufted structure and high surface area of WP/C with abundant oxygen-containing groups (such as C-O-C, C-O-H, or C-OH) can significantly improve the exposure of active sites, which enlarge the contact area with electrolyte and facilitate the mass transfer and absorption of methanol for promoting the MOR activity in acidic electrolyte. Pt-WP/C exhibits a considerably higher mass activity (1559.3 mA mg_Pt^-1) for MOR than that of Pt/C (488.2 mA mg_Pt^-1), owing to the special activity of W^δ+ and P^δ- sites for the decomposition reaction of water. With the introduction of W species, more available P species (passivated or not) are activated for further enhancing the cocatalytic activity of WP for MOR. Furthermore, the CO tolerance and durability of Pt-WP/C are also remarkable, which should benefit from the fast surface transport of adsorbed CO on different crystalline faces of WP and the extremely stable WP-C structure originating from the existence of P-P chains between the adjacent WP particles, respectively. The design of the porous structure and cocatalytic effect of this catalyst support (WP/C) provides a promising method to drastically enhance MOR activity.

Ultra-tiny ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles encapsulated in sandwich-like carbon nanosheets for high-performance supercapacitors

Known as an excellent energy storage material, ZnMn₂O₄ has a wide range of applications in supercapacitors. In this report, a special sandwich-like structure of ZnMn₂O₄/C has been first designed and synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method and subsequent calcinations. The designed special sandwich-like structure can benefit ion exchange and remit the probable volume changes during a mass of electrochemical reactions. Furthermore, the porous carbon nanosheets, derived from low-cost glucose, can effectively increase ion flux. Therefore, the novel sandwich-like ZnMn₂O₄ nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon nanosheets can undoubtedly demonstrate an exceptional electrochemical performance for SCs. In this work, the composite material with porous sandwich-like structure exhibits excellent cyclic stability for 5000 cycles (∼5% loss) and high specific capacitance of 1786 F g^-1.

Cobalt phosphide nanowall array as an efficient 3D catalyst electrode for methanol electro-oxidation

In this letter, we report on the use of a cobalt phosphide nanowall array on conductive carbon cloth (CoP NA/CC) as an efficient catalyst electrode for methanol electro-oxidation under alkaline conditions. This CoP NA/CC achieves a current density of 96 mA cm(-2) toward 0.5 M methanol at 0.5 V (versus a saturated calomel electrode (SCE)) in 1 M KOH. Moreover, this electrode exhibits superior stability and 93% of the initial anodic current density can be retained after 1000 cyclic voltammetry cycles when re-measured in new electrolyte.