Polypyrrole@polyaniline-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite support material and Cobalt for the enhanced electrocatalytic activity of nickel phosphide microsphere towards alkaline urea oxidation

Abstract Efficient and low-cost materials are highly demanded to improve the sluggish kinetics stability of direct urea fuel cells for large-scale commercialization. In this study, modification conventional nickel phoaphide (NiP) by cobalt doping via facile solvothermal method simultaneously dispersing prepared phosphide (CoNiP) on poly (aniline-co-pyrrole)/reduced graphene oxide (PPy@PANI/rGO) as efficient support material simple ultrasonic/heat mediated dispersion process. The synthesized catalysts were characterized scanning electron microscopy an x-ray diffractometer. Furthermore, Cyclic Voltammetry tests conducted evaluate performance catalysis towards alkaline oxidation. physical characterization depicts successful formation NiP Co-doped microsphere with a particle size 4.306 μ m 2.04 m, respectively. addition, homogeneous distribution CoNiP in structure PPy@PANI/rGO was achieved. Based CV test, superior electrocatalytic CoNiP@PPy@PANI/rGO electrode potential 0.414V versus SCE drive high current density 26.92 mAcm −2 , lower onset 0.204 V SCE, higher electrochemically active surface area 2.08 × 10 –1 cm 2 mg −1 electrochemical activities, kinetics, remarkably outperformed commercial electro-oxidation. Therefore, novel material, CoNiP@PPy@PANI/rGO, is excellent candidate anode cells.