Nanostructure-induced inhibition of oxygen evolution and enhancement of methanol electrooxidation on engineered anodized brass

Abstract

To capitalize the improved electrical contact feature, a self-supported hybrid binary/ ternary copper and zinc oxides (i.e., ZnO-Cu2O and Cu2O-ZnO-CuO) nanostructures have been generated via a simple potentiostatic mode of anodization on alpha brass in an alkaline medium. The catalyst nanostructuring i.e., wheat-grain-like to nanograss type structure has improved the mass transport, and sluggish kinetics of the methanol electrooxidation reaction process, and hindered the competitive oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of direct methanol fuel cell. The catalytic poisoning phenomenon has not been noticed due to two different reaction processes in two potential regions. Interestingly, a significant reduction of 236 mV and 350 mV, respectively. The enhancement of current density has been explained through an inductive circuit perspective. So, the present study provides a better insight into the design and utilize non-precious metal/alloy-based catalysts with hindered OER and (c) 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.