Nickel decorated on Platinum Confined in MXene as an Electrocatalyst for enhanced Electrooxidation of Methanol

The architecture and evaluation of a potent, cost-efficient anode catalyst for methanol oxidation reactions (MOR) have great significance in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DFMC) applications. In this study, Ni decorated Pt confined into the layers of 2D Transition metal carbides–MXenes were synthesized and used as electrocatalyst for MOR. Pt-Ni/MXene electrocatalyst was prepared via wet impregnation method utilizing NaBH4 as a reducing agent. The Pt-Ni/MXene nanocomposite formation was verified through XRD, SEM, EDX, TEM, and BET, XPS analysis. Cyclic voltammetry, Chronoamperometric, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis revealed the Electrochemical performance of Pt-Ni/MXene for electrooxidation of methanol. The synergistic effect of Ni decorated Pt and MXene nanoparticles offered improved durability (84.7 % of retention after 400 cycles) for the Pt-Ni/MXene electrocatalyst for MOR. The electrochemical performance of Pt-Ni/MXene was compared with Pt/MXene, a conventional Pt/C catalyst, and found to exhibit an eight-fold enhancement in catalytic efficiency for MOR in an acidic medium. [Display omitted] •Pt-Ni/MXene Nanocomposite was synthesized via wet impregnation method.•The peak current density of Pt-Ni/MXene (16.53 mA/cm2) is eight times greater than Pt/C (2.44 mA/cm2.).•The higher value of peak current density and If/Ib ratio of Pt-Ni/MXene indicates the enhanced MOR reaction.•The synergistic effect of Pt-Ni along with MXene nanoparticles offered lower onset potential and improved durability.