Copper nanoparticles/polyaniline-derived mesoporous carbon electrocatalysts for hydrazine oxidation

Abstract

Copper nanoparticles-decorated polyaniline-derived mesoporous carbon that can serve as noble metal-free electrocatalyst for the hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR) is synthesized via a facile synthetic route. The material exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward HzOR with low overpotential and high current density. The material also remains stable during the electrocatalytic reaction for long time. Its good electrocatalytic performance makes this material a promising alternative to conventional noble metal-based catalysts (e.g., Pt) that are commonly used in HzOR-based fuel cells.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

copper nanoparticles / mesoporous carbon / noble metal-free electrocatalyst / hydrazine oxidation reaction / polyaniline

References

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Acknowledgement

Tewodros Asefa gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance of the US National Science Foundation (Grant No.: NSF DMR-1508611) and the Rutgers Energy Institute (REI) for enabling this research work. T.Z. also thanks REI for the graduate fellowship it offered him so that he was able to conduct the research work here.

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