View in EDS

Synergistic NiO–Mn2O3 Composite Thin Films via Facile Dip‐Coating: A Cost‐Effective and Stable Electrocatalyst for Methanol Oxidation in Alkaline Direct Methanol Fuel Cells.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Synergistic NiO–Mn2O3 Composite Thin Films via Facile Dip‐Coating: A Cost‐Effective and Stable Electrocatalyst for Methanol Oxidation in Alkaline Direct Methanol Fuel Cells.
Authors: Zafar, Ujala1 (AUTHOR), Hussain, Abrar2,3 (AUTHOR), Baloch, Mahnoor1 (AUTHOR), Shahzad, Khurram2,3 (AUTHOR), Chawraba, Khaled4,5 (AUTHOR), Mansoor, Muhammad Adil1 (AUTHOR) adil.mansoor@sns.nust.edu.pk, Iqbal, Mudassir1 (AUTHOR), Park, Sang Hyun2,3 (AUTHOR) parksh@kaeri.re.kr
Source: ChemCatChem. Apr2026, Vol. 18 Issue 8, p1-16. 16p.
Subjects: Thin films, Direct methanol fuel cells, Electrocatalysts, Chemical stability, Oxidation of methanol, Surface coatings
Abstract: The commercialization of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) is hindered by the high cost, limited durability, and sluggish kinetics of platinum‐based catalysts. To address these challenges, NiO/FTO, Mn2O3/FTO, and NiO–Mn2O3/FTO thin films were fabricated using a simple and low‐cost dip‐coating method. Structural and compositional analyses using SEM and EDS confirmed the formation of uniform and porous morphologies, while XRD and Raman spectroscopy verified the crystalline nature and phase formation of the materials. Among the prepared electrodes, the NiO– Mn2O3/FTO composite exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation, delivering a prominent anodic peak at 0.99 V and a maximum current density of 5.8 mA cm−2. At 0.65 V, it achieved a current density of 2.5 mA cm−2 in 1.4 M methanol at a scan rate of 100 mV s−1. Chronoamperometric measurements demonstrated good electrochemical stability, with 86% current retention after 2000 s. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy further confirmed the enhanced charge‐transfer capability, showing a significantly lower charge‐transfer resistance (Rct) of 71 Ω compared with 349 Ω for NiO and 517 Ω for Mn2O3 electrodes. Overall, the NiO–Mn2O3/FTO thin film offers a cost‐effective, stable, and efficient catalytic system, demonstrating strong potential as an alternative anode material for DMFC applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of ChemCatChem is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:The commercialization of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) is hindered by the high cost, limited durability, and sluggish kinetics of platinum‐based catalysts. To address these challenges, NiO/FTO, Mn2O3/FTO, and NiO–Mn2O3/FTO thin films were fabricated using a simple and low‐cost dip‐coating method. Structural and compositional analyses using SEM and EDS confirmed the formation of uniform and porous morphologies, while XRD and Raman spectroscopy verified the crystalline nature and phase formation of the materials. Among the prepared electrodes, the NiO– Mn2O3/FTO composite exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation, delivering a prominent anodic peak at 0.99 V and a maximum current density of 5.8 mA cm−2. At 0.65 V, it achieved a current density of 2.5 mA cm−2 in 1.4 M methanol at a scan rate of 100 mV s−1. Chronoamperometric measurements demonstrated good electrochemical stability, with 86% current retention after 2000 s. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy further confirmed the enhanced charge‐transfer capability, showing a significantly lower charge‐transfer resistance (Rct) of 71 Ω compared with 349 Ω for NiO and 517 Ω for Mn2O3 electrodes. Overall, the NiO–Mn2O3/FTO thin film offers a cost‐effective, stable, and efficient catalytic system, demonstrating strong potential as an alternative anode material for DMFC applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:18673880
DOI:10.1002/cctc.70726