Copper-doped nickel oxyhydroxide for efficient electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation

Rational design of low-cost and efficient electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) is imperative electrocatalytic fuel cells. In this work, we developed a copper-doped nickel oxyhydroxide (Cu-doped NiOOH) catalyst via in situ electrochemical reconstruction NiCu alloy. The introduction Cu dopants increases the specific surface area more defect sites, as well forms high-valence Ni sites. Cu-doped NiOOH electrocatalyst exhibited an excellent EOR performance with peak current density 227 mA·cm?2 at 1.72 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, high Faradic efficiencies acetate production (> 98%), stability. Our work suggests attractive route designing non-noble metal based oxidation.