Copper selenide nanobelts an electrocatalyst for methanol electro-oxidation reaction

Abstract

AbstractEnergy crisis of the current society have attract the research attention for alternative energy sources. Methanol oxidation is source of energy but need efficient electrocatalyst like Pt. However, their practical ability is hinder due to cost and poisoning effect. In this regard, efficient catalyst is required for methanol oxidation. Herein, high temperature, pressure, and diethylenetryamine (DETA) as reaction medium/structure directing agent during solvothermal method are used for nanobelt Cu3Se2/Cu1.8Se (mostly hexagonal appearance) formation. The electrocatalyst shows optimized methanol electrooxidation reaction (MOR) response in 1 M KOH and 0.5 M methanol at scan rate of 50 mV/s and delivers a current density 7.12 mA/mg at potential of 0.65 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The catalyst exhibits high electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) (0.088 mF/cm2) and low Rct with good stability for 3600 s which favor its high MOR performance. This high response is due to its 2D hexagonal nanobelt morphology, which provides large surface area for reaction. The space among nanobelt reduce diffusion kinetics and rough/irregular edge increase reaction site to overall improve the methanol oxidation reaction.