Electrocatalytic Performance of MnMoO(4)-rGO Nano-Electrocatalyst for Methanol and Ethanol Oxidation

Today, finding low-cost electro-catalysts for methanol and ethanol oxidation with high performance and stability is one of the new research topics. A nanocatalyst based on metal oxides in the form of MnMoO(4) was synthesized by a hydrothermal method for methanol (MOR) and ethanol (EOR) oxidation reactions. Adding reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to the catalyst structure improved the electrocatalytic activity of MnMoO(4) for the oxidation processes. The crystal structure and morphology of the MnMoO(4) and MnMoO(4)-rGO nanocatalysts were investigated by physical analyses such as scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Their abilities for MOR and EOR processes in an alkaline medium were evaluated by performing electrochemical tests such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. MnMoO(4)-rGO showed oxidation current densities of 60.59 and 25.39 mA/cm(2) and peak potentials of 0.62 and 0.67 V in MOR and EOR processes (at a scan rate of 40 mV/s), respectively. Moreover, stabilities of 91.7% in MOR and 88.6% in EOR processes were obtained from the chronoamperometry analysis within 6 h. All these features make MnMoO(4)-rGO a promising electrochemical catalyst for the oxidation of alcohols.