Development of an Efficient Non-Noble Metal Based Anode Electrocatalyst to Promote Methanol Oxidation Activity in DMFC

Abstract

In this research, electrocatalytic activity of cobalt benzene tricarboxylic acid metal organic framework (Co BTC MOF) and its reduced graphene oxide based composites (rGO/Co BTC) were investigated in an alkaline media for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). Metal Organic frameworks (MOF) and their composites were solvothermally prepared and characterized via FTIR, EDX, SEM and XRD. Electrochemical studies were performed by cyclic voltammetry, electron impedance spectroscopy, chronoamperometry and cyclic stability. Among all the prepared composites, 1 wt % rGO/Co BTC MOF (1.07 mg cm(-2)) demonstrated a promising current density of 130 mA cm(-2) at 1.59 V vs. RHE, a tafel slope of 83.6 mV dec(-1) and resistance of 14.75 omega in 1 M NaOH/ 2 M methanol solution showing much better performance than state-of-the-art Pt based materials.