Ni and Fe mixed oxide anchored on CNTs, GONRs, and Ti3C2 Mxene as efficient nanocatalysts for direct power generation from methanol electro-oxidation

In the field of heterogeneous catalysis, the selection of appropriate support is an effective strategy due to metal loading reduction and enhancing electron transfer kinetic. In this work, the performance of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), reduced graphene oxide nanoribbons (rGONRs), and titanium carbide nanosheets (Ti3C2 Mxene) as support was investigated on the catalytic performance of NiFe2O4 spinel nanoparticles. The samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, BET surface area analysis, field emission scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties of samples as fuel cell catalysts were compared using electrochemical techniques. The electrocatalytic activity of samples in methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) was obtained to be: NiFe2O4/Ti3C2> NiFe2O4/rGONRs > NiFe2O4/CNTs > NiFe2O4. The results approve that the Ti3C2 Mxene promotes the catalytic performance of NiFe2O4 and enhances the methanol oxidation kinetics via conductive pathway creation. Therefore, Ti3C2 can lead to great opportunities as an efficient catalyst support for alcohol fuel cells in the future.