Copper-doped nickel oxyhydroxide for efficient electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation

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