Randomly oriented Ni–P/nanofiber/nanotube composite prepared by electrolessly plated nickel–phosphorus alloys for fuel cell applications

Abstract

In this work, we have synthesized a new type of hybridized composites, Ni-P/ CNT-CNFs, which refers to carbon nanotube (CNT)-hybridized carbon nanofibers (CNFs) through electrolessly plated nickel-phosphorus (Ni-P) alloys. The composites combine the merits of CNTs with high electronic conductivity and CNFs with abundant defect sites via the junction of electrolessly deposited Ni-P. The materials have been extensively characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), thermogravimetric analysis and hydrophilicity analysis. Electrochemical evaluations for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are carried out in 0.1 M KOH with and without 1 M methanol. In addition to serving as desirable candidates as electrocatalyst supports, the randomly oriented hybridized composites show satisfactory activities to ORR and excellent methanol tolerance in alkaline solutions. This generalized method is applicable for the preparation of a broad range of composite materials with different active components simply by variations in electroless plating bath (for example, copper\cobalt or bimetallic plating).

Processing and Characterization of Carbon Nanofibre Composites for Automotive Applications

“…The distributed CNFs were sensitised and activated in SnCl 2 and PdCl 2 solutions at room temperature, respectively [30]. The pretreated CNFs were then filtered and thoroughly washed in distilled water [31].…”

Recent Advances in Metal/Alloy Nano Coatings for Carbon Nanotubes Based on Electroless Plating

“…Figure 2C shows the strengthening efficiency of CNT in Al-CNT composites as a function of CNT content (Jagannatham et al, 2020). (Wu et al, 2017). Experiments showed that this irregularly oriented hybrid material, in addition to being an ideal candidate for non-precious metal electrocatalyst carriers, exhibited satisfactory ORR activity and excellent methanol tolerance in alkaline solutions.…”

“…The highest conversion of 99.8% was achieved under appropriate reaction conditions, which indicates the high catalytic activity of MWCNTs/Ni-B nanoparticles ( Liu et al, 2011 ). Wu et al grew CNFs on CNTs by chemically plating Ni-P alloy in order to synthesize Ni-P/CNT-CNFs composites, which were directly used as electrocatalysts in methanol-resistant redox reactions (ORR) ( Wu et al, 2017 ). Experiments showed that this irregularly oriented hybrid material, in addition to being an ideal candidate for non-precious metal electrocatalyst carriers, exhibited satisfactory ORR activity and excellent methanol tolerance in alkaline solutions.…”

Foldable water-activated reserve battery with diverse voltages

“…Previous studies reported that MWCNTs have an electrochemical activity toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in both acidic and alkaline conditions. [35][36][37][38][39][40] Hence, this electrode was designed to work as a cathode for ORR and to be exible and foldable freely. Moreover, this paper electrode plays as a role of a reservoir for an electrolyte injected to the reserve battery.…”