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Catalytic performance and NaBH 4 utilization are two crucial concerns in the electrooxidation of NaBH 4. To improve the inherent properties of regular performance and low fuel utilization of the transition metal Co and Ni, an efficient anode catalyst of ultra-thin CoNi nanosheets modified novel 3D self-supported reduced graphene oxide foam is prepared in this work. The alkaline condition borohydride oxidation reaction on the prepared catalyst is investigated in a typical three-electrode system. The prepared catalyst shows a high performance due to the large electrochemical active surface area, low activation energy (8.29 kJ·mol−1), and the small electrochemical impedance it embraced. Linear scan voltammetry recorded in a low concentration of NaBH 4 suggests that borohydride oxidation is a first-order reaction on the prepared catalyst. Based on the unique structure of the catalyst, which is useful to capture the hydrogen and perform further oxidation of hydrogen, higher utilization of NaBH 4 achieved on the catalyst. Besides, the prepared anode catalyst applied to a direct borohydride-hydrogen peroxide fuel cell (DBHPFC). The results of polarization curve and power density curves, as well as stability research, all indicate that the as-prepared catalyst is a highly efficient anode material for application in DBHPFC. Unlabelled Image • Novel 3D self-supported rGO foam skeleton was prepared by a simple template method. • The catalytic activity of CoNi-NS/rGO foam is higher than CoNi-NS/Ni foam electrode. • Self-supported rGO foam matrix improved the utilization efficiency of NaBH4. • CoNi-NS/rGO foam anode catalyst exhibited highest power density of 140 mW·cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A current collector of reduced graphene oxide modified Ni foam (RN) is synthesized through a handy method of hydrothermal. The sheet-like reduced graphene oxide (rGO) wrapped around the skeleton of Ni foam establishes a unique structure of the current collector with large surface area as well as good electronic conductivity which make a positive effect on the promotion of electrochemical property. Pd is chosen as the catalyst and deposited on the RN substrate in a form of nanoparticle by potentiostatic electro-deposition. Characterization analysis including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and inductive coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP) are conducted to investigate the morphology and structure of the final electrode of Pd nanoparticles decorated rGO supported on Ni foam (PRN). In 2 mol L −1 NaOH and 0.5 mol L −1 H 2 O 2 , a current density of 450 mA cm −2 is gained on the PRN electrode which is much larger than that on the electrode of Pd nanoparticles directly deposited on Ni foam (PN). An excellent stability of the PRN electrode is also concluded by the measurements revealing that this material can be potentially and widely applied to direct hydrogen peroxide fuel cell in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CoSe 2 /RGO composite were prepared via a facile microwave assisted method. • The effects of RGO content on electrochemical performance were investigated. • The CoSe 2 /RGO-3 electrode delivers high capacitance of 761 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. • The CoSe 2 /RGO-3//AC exhibits high energy density of 43.1 Wh kg−1 at 800 W kg−1. The composites composed of metal selenides and carbonaceous materials have revealed enormous potential in varied applications. Herein, CoSe 2 /reduced graphene oxide (CoSe 2 /RGO) composites are prepared by a low-cost and efficient microwave assisted method. The effects of RGO proportion on crystalline structure, microstructure and energy storage capacity are explored. Benefiting from the good electrical conductivity and reasonable RGO content, the CoSe 2 /RGO sample with 35.2 wt% RGO reveals an excellent specific capacitance of 761 F g−1 as well as outstanding durability. More importantly, we construct an all solid-state hybrid supercapacitor (CoSe 2 /RGO//active carbon) to broaden the voltage window, resulting in an enhanced energy density (43.1 Wh kg−1). The hybrid device presents a favorable durability with 10% capacity drop after 10,000 cycles. In addition, the practical applicability of asymmetric device is confirmed by powering a blue light emitting diode (LED) for more than 10 mins. This work presents a simple, effective, and reasonable construct strategy to synthesize composites of selenides and RGO for charge storage application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Carbon-coated SnS nanosheets and reduced graphene oxide composites are designed and synthesized. • Dual-carbon modification enhances the rate performance of SnS. • Potassiation stage adjustment results in stable cycling performance. Potassium ion batteries (PIBs) have attracted lots of attention due to its abundant resources. Exploring capable anode materials becomes one of the critical issues to achieve high-performance PIBs. Herein, carbon-coated SnS nanosheets and reduced graphene oxide (SnS@C/rGO) composite are designed and synthesized by a solvothermal reaction and heat treatment. The strategy of double carbon modification enhances the rate performance of SnS. Meanwhile, the cycling stability of SnS@C/rGO can be further improved by optimizing the voltage window, which can achieve the potassiation stage adjustment. K ions storage mechanism of SnS@C/rGO is investigated under different voltage windows. The deep alloying reaction occurs under low potential and is harmful to cycling performance. Moreover, the electrochemical kinetics of K ions storage is investigated by quantitative kinetics analysis. This work highlights the important effect of dual-carbon modification and adjusting the potassiation stage on the K ion storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]