Copper selenide nanobelts an electrocatalyst for methanol electro-oxidation reaction

Energy crisis of the current society have attract the research attention for alternative energy sources. Methanol oxidation is source of energy but need efficient electrocatalyst like Pt. However, their practical ability is hinder due to cost and poisoning effect. In this regard, efficient catalyst is required for methanol oxidation. Herein, high temperature, pressure, and diethylenetryamine (DETA) as reaction medium/structure directing agent during solvothermal method are used for nanobelt Cu3Se2/Cu1.8Se (mostly hexagonal appearance) formation. The electrocatalyst shows optimized methanol electrooxidation reaction (MOR) response in 1 M KOH and 0.5 M methanol at scan rate of 50 mV/s and delivers a current density 7.12 mA/mg at potential of 0.65 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The catalyst exhibits high electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) (0.088 mF/cm2) and low Rct with good stability for 3600 s which favor its high MOR performance. This high response is due to its 2D hexagonal nanobelt morphology, which provides large surface area for reaction. The space among nanobelt reduce diffusion kinetics and rough/irregular edge increase reaction site to overall improve the methanol oxidation reaction.

Automated summary

The energy crisis in today's society has led to research interest in alternative energy sources. Methanol oxidation is a potential energy source but requires an efficient electrocatalyst such as Pt. The practicality of Pt is hindered by its high cost and poisoning effect. Therefore, there is a need for an efficient catalyst for methanol oxidation. In this study, nanobelt Cu3Se2/Cu1.8Se catalysts were synthesized using high temperature, pressure, and diethylenetriamine (DETA) as a reaction medium/structure directing agent. The catalyst showed optimized methanol electrooxidation reaction (MOR) response and exhibited high electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) and good stability, leading to high MOR performance. The unique 2D hexagonal nanobelt morphology of the catalyst provided a large surface area for the reaction, reducing diffusion kinetics and increasing reaction sites.