Journal
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
Volume 10, Issue 11, Pages 9485-9494Publisher
AMER CHEMICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b00613
Keywords
Mn2O3@Co1.2Ni1.8O4; oxygen reduction reaction; direct methanol fuel cell; stability; methanol tolerance
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [51271137, 51602246]
- Fundamental Research Funds for the central Universities [xjj2014052]
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A three-dimensional Mn2O3@Co1.2Ni1.8O4 hybrid was synthesized via facile two-step processes and employed as a cathode catalyst in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) for the first time. Because of the unique architecture with ultrathin and porous nanosheets of the Co1.2Ni1.8O4 shell, this composite exhibits better electrochemical performance than the pristine Mn2O3. Remarkably, it shows excellent methanol tolerance, even in a high concentration solution. The DMFC was assembled with Mn2O3@Co1.2Ni1.8O4, polymer fiber membranes, and PtRu/C as the cathode, membrane, and anode, respectively. The power densities of 57.5 and 70.5 mW cm(-2) were recorded at 18 and 28 degrees C, respectively, especially the former is the best result reported in the literature at such a low temperature. The stability of the Mn2O3@Co1.2Ni1.8O4 catalyzed cathode was evaluated, and the results show that this compound possesses excellent stability in a high methanol concentration. The improved electrochemical activity could be attributed to the narrow band gap of the hybrid, which accelerates the electrons jumping from the valence band to the conduction band. Therefore, Mn-III could be oxidized into Mn-IV more easily, simultaneously providing an electron to the absorbed oxygen.
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