Applicable anode based on Co3O4–SrCO3 heterostructure nanorods-incorporated CNFs with low-onset potential for DUFCs

Abstract

Besides the high-current density, lower onset potential of urea electrooxidation is key parameter which influences the direct urea fuel cell performance. In the present article, low-onset potential has been reported for nickel-free (NF) electrocatalyst in urea electrooxidation. The nickel-free electrocatalyst: Co 3 O 4-SrCO 3 heterostructure nanorods-incorporated carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were synthesized by electrospinning technique, followed by calcination of electrospun mat composed of strontium acetate, cobalt acetate, and poly(vinyl alcohol) sol-gel in inert environment at 750°C. Physiochemical characterizations confirmed the formation of Co 3 O 4-SrCO 3 heterostructure nanorods-incorporated CNFs. The electrochemical activity of resultant nickel-free electrocatalyst toward the electrooxidation of urea in alkaline medium is evaluated using cyclic voltammetry measurements (CV). Co 3 O 4-SrCO 3 heterostructure nanorods-incorporated CNFs reveals high-current density of 21.33 mA/cm 2 at low-fuel concentration. Notably, the low-onset potential has been observed, showing a good application prospect in direct urea fuel cells.

Electrooxidation behavior of ethanol toward carbon microbead-encapsulated ZnO particles derived from coffee waste

“…It is a point at which a rise in current density is observed. The lower the onset potential is, the higher is the electrocatalytic activity [38,39]. However, besides the increase in the current density, a significant decrease in the onset potential (0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl) was observed (marked by the red arrow).…”