Materializing efficient methanol oxidation via electron delocalization in nickel hydroxide nanoribbon.

ABSTRACT: Achieving a functional and durable non-platinum group metal-based methanol oxidation catalyst is critical for a cost-effective direct methanol fuel cell. While Ni(OH)₂ has been widely studied as methanol oxidation catalyst, the initial process of oxidizing Ni(OH)₂ to NiOOH requires a high potential of 1.35 V vs. RHE. Such potential would be impractical since the theoretical potential of the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction is at 1.23 V. Here we show that a four-coordinated nickel atom is able to form charge-transfer orbitals through delocalization of electrons near the Fermi energy level. As such, our previously reported periodically arranged four-six-coordinated nickel hydroxide nanoribbon structure (NR-Ni(OH)₂) is able to show remarkable methanol oxidat

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7495422 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature