Boron-Doped Ni-Ru Supported on Nitrogen-Doped Ordered Mesoporous Carbon as Effective Electrocatalyst for Methanol Electrooxidation

摘要

Ternary hybrid catalyst, composed of boron-doped Ni species/Ru species/nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbon (catalyst/co-catalyst/scaffold), was comprehensively analyzed for effective methanol electro-oxidation. Five catalysts with different compositions of Ni : Ru, were synthesized and characterized to analyze phase formation and purity (XRD), surface morphology (SEM), elemental deposition and composition (EDX), reduction in surface area of scaffold after metal deposition (N(2)sorption), metal dispersion (TEM) and chemical functionality (XPS). Cumulative analysis of the results obtained from Cyclic Voltammetry, Electrochemical Impedance and Chromoamperometry techniques unequivocally indicated the promotional effect in the activity of the catalyst on the addition of the co-catalyst; however, there exists a limiting factor for the extent of the addition of the co-catalyst to the catalyst, beyond which the electrocatalytic activity declines. The highest current density, lowest onset potential along with appreciable two-hour stability were recorded when the two metal components (Ni and Ru) were mixed in 1 : 1 wt ratio (1Ni1Ru/N-OMC).