Facile synthesis of a ZnCo2O4 electrocatalyst with three-dimensional architecture for methanol oxidation

In this work, ZnCo 2 O 4 nanomaterial with a hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) architecture is directly grown on Ni foam by a convenient solvothermal process and subsequent calcination treatment. The ZnCo 2 O 4 hierarchical 3D architecture is constructed from coating a layer of ZnCo 2 O 4 nanowires on ZnCo 2 O 4 nanosheets . The growth mechanism of the ZnCo 2 O 4 hierarchical 3D architecture is studied by control experiments. The as-prepared ZnCo 2 O 4 /Ni foam is applied as a binder-free electrode for the electrooxidation of methanol in KOH electrolyte. The electrocatalytic performances of the ZnCo 2 O 4 electrodes prepared with different solvothermal reaction duration are studied, and the ZnCo 2 O 4 electrode prepared with solvothermal reaction duration of 18 h shows the highest activity. The high electrocatalytic activity and excellent stability of the ZnCo 2 O 4 relate to its hierarchical 3D architecture, porous nature, reversible redox characteristics and stability in alkaline electrolyte .