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Developing catalysts based on non-precious metals is crucial for the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol, a pivotal anodic reaction in direct ethanol fuel cells. In this study, we crafted a series of Mn oxyhydroxides/Ni catalysts via a straightforward electrochemical deposition of Mn onto Ni foam. By carefully modulating the concentration of Mn2+ during electrodeposition, we achieved a tunable surface Mn/Ni ratio and Mn–Ni synergy. It is observed that with increasing Mn/Ni ratio, the electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) increases monotonously, while the intrinsic activity increased first and then decreased. Consequently, electrodes with surface ratios of 6.1 and 8.6 exhibit relatively lower intrinsic activity but higher ECSA, ultimately attaining the highest apparent activity (94–98 mA cm−2 peak current density at 1.50 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) for ethanol oxidation. This work provides an accessible approach to tailor Mn–Ni synergy, paving the way for the design of highly efficient catalysts for electrochemical ethanol oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgent need for sustainable and efficient energy conversion technologies has propelled research into novel electrocatalysts for fuel cell applications. This study investigates a carbon paper (CP)-supported Ni 2 O 3 catalyst for the electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol. We utilized electrodeposition to uniformly deposit/dop Ni 2 O 3 onto the CP, creating an effective electrocatalyst. Our approach allows the tailoring of the doping degree by adjusting the electrodeposition potential. The optimal doping degree, achieved at a medium deposition potential, results in an electrode with high intrinsic activity and a substantial electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), thereby enhancing its electrocatalytic activity. This catalyst efficiently facilitates the oxidation of ethanol to formic acid while maintaining good stability. The enhanced performance is attributed to the effective interface and interaction between Ni 2 O 3 and CP. This work not only provides insights into the design of efficient Ni-based catalysts for ethanol oxidation but also paves the way for developing advanced materials for renewable energy conversion., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)