It is common to use efficient catalysts in the anodes and cathodes of methanol and ethanol fuel cells, such as platinum and ruthenium. However, due to their expansivity and rarity, finding a suitable alternative is important. In this work, multi-component catalysts consisting of tungsten oxide, nickel cobaltite, and activated carbon were synthesized through the hydrothermal method. The performance of catalysts in the processes of methanol and ethanol oxidation reactions (MOR and EOR) were investigated. The addition of activated carbon obtained from wheat husk, with an excellent active surface and acceptable electrical conductivity, to the matrix of the catalyst significantly facilitated the oxidation process of alcohols and enhanced the efficiency of the catalyst. The physical and electrochemical characterization of the NiCo₂O₄/WO₃ hybridized with the wheat husk-derived activated carbon (ACWH) catalyst indicated its successful synthesis and good performance in the alcohol oxidation process. NiCo₂O₄/WO₃/ACWH with an oxidation current density of 63.39 mA/cm² at the peak potential of 0.58 V (1.59 vs. RHE), a cyclic stability of 98.6% in the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and 27.98 mA/cm² at the peak potential of 0.67 V (1.68 vs. RHE), and a cyclic stability of 95.7% in the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) process can be an interesting option for application in the anodes of alcohol fuel cells.

The potential of metal oxide-based nanocatalysts and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for the methanol and ethanol electrooxidation process is studied in the attempt of introducing cheap and stable nanocatalysts for use in the alcohol oxidation process. In this regard MnO₂–NiO (MN), and MnO₂–NiO–MWCNT (MNM) are synthesized and characterized in terms of structure and morphology. The electrocatalytic activity of these materials is evaluated by electrochemical tests. MNM show 90% cyclic stability after 1000 consecutive cycles in methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and 86% in ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) and maximum current densities of 262 and 148 μA cm⁻² in methanol and ethanol electrooxidation, in optimal scan rate respectively. Also, the onset potential of MNM is lower than MN, indicating superior kinetics and facile oxidation of methanol due to the synergistic effect of adding MWCNTs to the structure of MN nanocatalyst. From these results, MNM can be an attractive and inexpensive option for use in MOR and EOR process for application in alcohol fuel cells.

This study provides the methanol oxidation capability of two nanocatalysts, CeO₂-NiO (CN) and CeO₂-NiO-rGO (CNR), synthesized by a cost-effective hydrothermal method. The synergistic effect of compositing CeO₂-NiO with reduced graphene oxide was evaluated. These synergic effect makes a good electrochemical active surface area and suitable electrical conductivity for catalyst. In addition, rGO with good electrical conductivity revealed considerable improvement in the methanol oxidation reaction performance of the catalyst. The cyclic stability measurements of CeO₂-NiO-rGO showed a high retention ability of 96% in 500 consecutive cyclic voltammetry cycles, while the stability of CeO₂-NiO in the same number of cycles is about 93%. The complementary methanol oxidation process results indicated an oxidation current density up to 49.5 and 68.5 mA cm⁻² for CN and CNR at a scan rate of 20 mV s⁻¹, respectively. The proposed catalyst can be considered as an attractive, stable, and inexpensive candidate in the field of methanol oxidation to use in methanol fuel cells.