Fabrication of highly dispersed bimetallic Ni-Mo@CNFs by sol-gel assisted electrospinning for methanol oxidation electrocatalysis

The development of efficient electrocatalysts using low-cost nanostructured transition metals as an alter-native to noble metals is receiving strong interest in the field of clean and sustainable energy technology. In this study, highly dispersed bimetallic nickel-molybdenum nanoparticles on electrospun carbon nanofibers (Ni-Mo/CNFs) were prepared using a sol-gel-assisted electrospinning technique followed by calcination. The chemical composition of the Ni-Mo/CNFs with different ratios of Mo and their morphology have been characterized by various techniques. The SEM and TEM images revealed that the Ni0.6Mo0.4/CNFs had a nanofibrous morphology, the Ni-Mo nanoparticles were highly dispersed over carbon nanofibers, and the average particle size was 9.02 nm. The Mo ratio plays a crucial role in enhancing the electrochemical performance, and Ni0.6Mo0.4/CNFs showed higher electrocatalytic activity than other samples. The max-imum current density of Ni0.6Mo0.4/CNFs was 10 and 43.89 mA/cm2 for the methanol oxidation at 0.45 and 0.75 V vs. Ag/AgCl, respectively, and the onset potential was 0.31 V. The synergistic effect between Ni and Mo NPs and the morphology and structure of substrate (CNFs) were responsible for its electrochemical performance.(c) 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study focuses on the development of efficient electrocatalysts using low-cost nanostructured transition metals. Highly dispersed bimetallic nickel-molybdenum nanoparticles were prepared on electrospun carbon nanofibers. The Ni0.6Mo0.4/CNFs showed higher electrocatalytic activity due to the synergistic effect between Ni and Mo nanoparticles and the morphology and structure of the substrate.