A study, co-authored by a researcher Hosseini from Near East University, explores the utilization of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as catalyst supports for energy applications, specifically focusing on ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs). The study synthesized and characterized three MOF materials: Co-MOF, Cu-MOF, and CoCu-MOF, using various analytical techniques including FT-IR, XRD, TEM, FE-SEM, Raman spectroscopy, BET, and XPS.
The electrocatalytic performance of the synthesized materials was evaluated through various electrochemical techniques, including cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the CoCu-MOF catalyst exhibited significantly higher ethanol oxidation current density compared to Co-MOF and Cu-MOF, indicating superior efficiency and durability in EOR.
To further enhance the conductivity of MOFs and their application in DEFCs, the study developed a novel approach by arraying CoCu-MOF on highly conductive three-dimensional carbon felt (CF) support (CoCu–MOF/CF) using an in-situ solvothermal method. The CoCu-MOF/CF composite, serving as a binder-free low-cost anode electrode in DEFCs, exhibited promising performance with an open-circuit potential of 0.865 V and a power density of 22.85 mW cm−2 at 60°C.
The improved electrocatalytic activity of CoCu-MOF/CF can be attributed to several factors, including the network-like architecture of CF enhancing electronic conductivity and providing accessible active sites, the synergetic effect between Co and Cu in the catalyst, and the significantly higher electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of CoCu-MOF compared to pristine Cu-MOF and Co-MOF.
This study presents a novel method for developing efficient MOF-based electrocatalysts for DEFC applications. The results highlight the potential of MOFs as catalyst supports and the importance of integrating them with conductive substrates like CF to enhance performance. The findings contribute to the advancement of fuel cell technologies and pave the way for further research in this field.
More Information:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379677923001650
