An Efficient and Stable Electrocatalyst Derived from Ni-Mo-Co MOF for Methanol Oxidation Reaction

The majority of methanol oxidation electrocatalysts are based on platinum-group metals such as platinum, palladium, and ruthenium. However, their usage is restricted because of their high cost, scarcity, and carbon monoxide toxicity concerns. We devised a simple approach for preparing a nickel foam (NF) based electrode using in-situ synthesis of metal organic framework, such as Co-MOF/NF, Ni-MOF/NF, Mo-MOF/NF, NC-MOF/NF, MC-MOF/NF, NM-MOF/NF, and NMC-MOF/NF, as an efficient electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation to produce carbon dioxide and water. Catalysts were synthesized using a hydrothermal process. In methanol with alkaline electrolyte, the as-prepared NMC-MOF/NF catalysts had the highest current density response, such as 5641 mA/cm(2), in contrast to other bimetallic and single metal-based metal organic framework electrocatalysts supported on Ni foam. We also observed that the NMC-MOF/NF could efficiently catalyze the oxidation of carbon monoxide while being relatively unaffected by it. After 20,000 seconds in methanol oxidation, NMC-MOF/NF based electrode retained about 100 % of its initial activity. Following simple synthesis technique and the improved catalytic efficiency and stability of NMC-MOF/NF, methanol can be used to generate energy-efficient products such as hydrogen.

Automated summary

A simple approach using metal organic framework and nickel foam as an electrode for catalyzing methanol oxidation is reported. The NMC-MOF/NF catalysts showed the highest current density response and efficient catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide. The NMC-MOF/NF electrode retained 100% of its catalytic activity after 20,000 seconds in methanol oxidation. This method enables the generation of energy-efficient products, such as hydrogen, from methanol.