Ni, Co, and Mo-based trimetallic and bimetallic oxide nanocomposites as cost-effective bifunctional electrocatalysts for coupled methanol oxidation and hydrogen evolution
Journal
Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry
Journal Volume
996
Start Page
119403
ISSN
1572-6657
Date Issued
2025-11
Author(s)
Abstract
Developing cost-effective and multifunctional electrocatalysts for clean hydrogen production is of vital importance for sustainable energy technologies. In this work, we report the synthesis of trimetallic and bimetallic Ni–Co–Mo oxide nanocomposites via a facile solvothermal method followed by inert-atmosphere calcination. The structural, morphological, and surface characteristics of the synthesized nanocomposites were thoroughly investigated. Electrochemical measurements in alkaline electrolyte revealed that all catalysts exhibit bifunctional activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). Among them, the CoMo oxide showed the lowest overpotentials and fastest kinetics, while the NiCoMo trimetallic system demonstrated enhanced electrochemical surface area and improved charge transfer. The synergy between Co and Mo is found to modulate the electronic structure, enhance conductivity, and accelerate reaction kinetics. Importantly, coupling MOR with HER in methanol-containing alkaline media significantly reduced the energy input required for hydrogen production, highlighting a viable alternative to the conventional OER-HER route. The catalysts also exhibited excellent electrochemical stability over repeated cycles. These findings provide valuable insights into the rational design of transition metal oxide nanocomposites for efficient, low-energy hydrogen production and highlight their potential in integrated electrochemical systems.
Subjects
Catalysts
HER
MOR
Nanostructures
Water splitting
SDGs
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article