Microwave assisted synthesis of core-shell Ni-Co/graphene nano sheets and their catalytic activity for methanol electro-oxidation

The improvement of nanostructured architectures the use of less expensive first–row transition metals with high electrocatalytic activity to substitute noble-metal-based electrocatalysts has currently received enormous interest in the discipline of easy and sustainable energy generation technology. Nickel-Cobalt core–shell nanostructures for supported over N-doped graphene nanosheets ([email protected]/N-GNS) present higher catalytic activity due to presence of increased surface active centers, high surface area and extended reactive zones. Using microwave irradiation, bimetallic [email protected] nanoparticles are deposited on N-Doped graphene nanosheets. Influence of reactive conditions and composition of metal precursors are studied systematically, these studies revealed that core–shell nanostructures synthesized using 1:1 metal precursors irradiated under microwave for 40 s displayed superior electro catalytic activity towards methanol. XPS, SEM, and EDAX studies are performed to understand physico-chemical properties of [email protected]/GNS catalyst. It is deduced that thickness, surface characteristics and catalytic properties of [email protected] deposits could be influenced pointedly by microwave conditions. Core-shell morphology is decidedly of assistance to offer readily accessible active [email protected] active zones for methanol oxidation reaction, which is evidenced by cyclic voltammetry, Impedance analysis and chronoammperometric studies. The developed catalyst is a therefore a potential electrocatalyst for direct alcohol fuel cells.