Bimetallic Bi and Ni doped LTA zeolite as synergy electrocatalyst towards high concentration of methanol oxidation reaction

One of the important factors determining the expansion of the application domain of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is its energy density. The bismuth-nickel doped LTA zeolite was as-synthesized in hydrothermal condition and applied into the electrochemistry catalysis of methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) with high performance in the methanol concentration ranging from 0.5 M to 35 M without observed catalyst poisoning. A trace amount of Bi and Ni atoms are highly dispersed on the opening window of the zeolitic surface by the electrochemical rearrangement process. The surface of the LTA structure zeolite is a good carrier for the metal cations with Na cations which could be replaced in hydrothermal crystalline process while the inner direct pores provide a channel for CO gas to escape and prevent catalyst poisoning in electrochemistry progress. Through the comparative study with the Bi doped LTA, Ni doped LTA and the commercial Pt/C catalyst, the Bi and Ni doped LTA reveals higher performance in monatomic catalytic efficiency and electrochemical stability. And through the mutual interaction of diatomic, the doped zeolite material highly improves the energy density of methanol fuel cells and reduces the cost of the cells concerning the absence of noble metals.