Remarkable electrocatalytic activity of Ni-nanoparticles on MOF-derived ZrO2-porous carbon/reduced graphene oxide towards methanol oxidation

Abstract In the present work, a porous carbonaceous platform containing zirconium oxide was used for spreading Ni nanoparticles, and applied to methanol oxidation. The platform was obtained by calcination of a metal-organic framework (MOF) attached to graphene oxide. Nickel nanoparticles were then deposited on the nanocomposite by chemical reduction from a Ni2+ solution. The obtained electrocatalyst was characterized by different methods. An excellent electrocatalytic behavior was observed towards methanol oxidation in alkaline medium (j ~ 240 mA cm−2 or ~ 626 mA mg−1 in 1.0 M methanol). The results of methanol oxidation by various electrochemical studies (cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, chronoamperometry and chronopotentiometry) revealed the effective synergy between reduced graphene oxide, porous carbon material, ZrO2 metal oxide and Ni nanoparticles. Good durability and stability of the proposed electrocatalyst and significantly increased current density of methanol oxidation suggest it as a potential alternative for Pt-based electrocatalysts in direct methanol fuel cells.