The demands for alternative energy have led researchers to find effective electrocatalysts in fuel cells and increase the efficiency of existing materials. This study presents new nanocatalysts based on two binary transition metal oxides (BTMOs) and their hybrid with reduced graphene oxide for methanol oxidation. Characterization of the introduced three-component composite, including cobalt manganese oxide (MnCo2O4), nickel cobalt oxide (NiCo2O4), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in the form of MnCo2O4/NiCo2O4/rGO (MNR), was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses. The alcohol oxidation capability of MnCo2O4/NiCo2O4 (MN) and MNR was evaluated in the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) process. The crucial role of rGO in improving the electrocatalytic properties of catalysts stems from its large active surface area and high electrical conductivity. The alcohol oxidation tests of MN and MNR showed an adequate ability to oxidize methanol. The better performance of MNR was due to the synergistic effect of MnCo2O4/NiCo2O4 and rGO. MN and MNR nanocatalysts, with a maximum current density of 14.58 and 24.76 mA/cm2 and overvoltage of 0.6 and 0.58 V, as well as cyclic stability of 98.3% and 99.7% (at optimal methanol concentration/scan rate of 20 mV/S), respectively, can be promising and inexpensive options in the field of efficient nanocatalysts for use in methanol fuel cell anodes.
This work represents the production of MoS 2 /CoS 2 hybridized with rGO as a material for high-performance supercapacitors. The hydrothermal method is used for the synthesis. The as-prepared material is characterized by x-ray diffraction spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. The size of the nanoparticles is estimated at 80 nm, and their uniform dispersion on rGO is observed from electron microscopy images. A high-specific capacitance of 190 mF cm −2 obtains for MoS 2 /CoS 2 /rGO at the current density of 0.5 mA cm −2 in 2 M KOH. The cyclic stability over 5000 cycles at a scan rate of 100 mV s −1 shows that the MoS 2 /CoS 2 /rGO electrode is stable, and 88.6% of its initial capacitance sustains at the end of 5000 cycles. This excellent performance is assigned to the synergistic effect of rGO and MoS 2 /CoS 2 . This electrode with excellent stability and capacitance could be a potential candidate for supercapacitor electrode materials.
Recently, the use of metal oxides as inexpensive and efficient catalysts has been considered by researchers. In this work, we introduce a new nanocatalyst including a mixed metal oxide, consisting of manganese oxide, cerium oxide, and reduced graphene oxide (Mn3O4-CeO2-rGO) by the hydrothermal method. The synthesized nanocatalyst was evaluated for the methanol oxidation reaction. The synergetic effect of metal oxides on the surface of rGO was investigated. Mn3O4-CeO2-rGO showed an oxidation current density of 17.7 mA/cm2 in overpotential of 0.51 V and 91% stability after 500 consecutive rounds of cyclic voltammetry. According to these results, the synthesized nanocatalyst can be an attractive and efficient option in the methanol oxidation reaction process.