Synthesis of effective carbon-based composite materials as electrocatalysts for electrochemical reactions

Golap Kalita

Abstract:

Introduction: Significant interest has been given to the development of multifunctional electrocatalysts based on metal nanoparticles and graphitic carbon composite [1,2]. Previously, we reported on the synthesis of heteroatom-doped graphitic carbon nanofibers using the chemical vapor deposition technique for applications in catalytic reactions, including oxygen reduction, evolution, and hydrogen generation [2-4].

Methods: In this work, a cobalt oxide (CoO) and graphene oxide (GO) composite material is synthesized using a solution-based technique. Furthermore, a MoO_x/MoS_x and GO composite material is synthesized by a hydrothermal process, and its electrochemical catalytic reaction performance is explored. The synthesized materials are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Electrochemical studies of the materials are performed by Metrohm Autolab potentiostat/galvanostat.

Results: It is noted that the synthesized CoO/GO composite can be utilized for catalytic reactions involving oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, and hydrogen generation. On the other hand, the synthesized MoO_x/MoS_x and GO composite material exhibits excellent catalytic properties for hydrogen generation, with good stability of the working electrode at high current densities.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the GO-based material serves as an excellent host material for CoO and MoO_x/MoSx-based composite materials, enabling the design of effective electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction, evolution, and hydrogen generation. Thus, this research revealed the synthesis of effective composite electrocatalysts for green energy generation and storage device applications.

Acknowledgement: I would like to thank all my colleagues involved in this research work.

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