3D Hierarchical Core–Shell Nanostructured Arrays on Carbon Fibers as Catalysts for Direct Urea Fuel Cells |
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| Authors: | N. Senthilkumar G. Gnana kumar A. Manthiram |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Physical Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India;2. Materials Science and Engineering Program & Texas Materials Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA |
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| Abstract: | Bifunctional cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanowire catalysts grown on carbon cloth (CC) fibers and their modification with nickel oxide (NiO) and manganese dioxide (MnO2) to produce core–shell nanoarchitectures are explored as catalysts for urea oxidation reaction and oxygen reduction reaction in direct urea fuel cells (DUFC). Based on a systematic electrochemical characterization of the catalyst, the as‐developed core–shell nanoarchitectures are optimized toward DUFC performance. Under alkaline conditions with an anion exchange membrane, the DUFC with a cell configuration of Co3O4@NiO(1:2)/CC(a|c)Co3O4@MnO2(1:2)/CC exhibits a maximum power density of 33.8 mW cm?2 with excellent durability for 120 h without any performance loss. Furthermore, the DUFC exhibits a maximum power density of 23.2 mW cm?2 with human urine as a fuel. These findings offer an approach to convert human waste into treasure. |
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| Keywords: | binder‐free electrodes core– shell architecture direct urea fuel cells oxygen reduction reaction urea oxidation reaction |
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