Electroreduction of H₂O₂ by Co₃O₄ and NiCo₂O₄ Nanowires and β-Ni(OH)₂ Nanoplates Grown on Ni Foam

Nanowires (Co₃O₄ and NiCo₂O₄) and nanoplates (β-Ni(OH)2) grown on Ni foam are successfully prepared by a template-free method and used as cathode electrodes for the electroreduction of H₂O₂ in an alkaline medium. Catalytic performance is investigated via cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The Co₃O₄ and NiCo₂O₄ nanowire electrodes exhibit much better catalytic activity, stability, and mass transfer properties for H₂O₂ electroreduction than pressed Co₃O₄ and NiCo₂O₄ nanoparticle/carbon/PTFE electrodes. A current density of 101.8 mA cm⁻² and 122.7 mA cm⁻² are respectively achieved on Co₃O₄ and NiCo₂O₄ nanowire electrodes at −0.4 V in 0.4 mol/L H₂O₂ and 3.0 mol/L NaOH solution at room temperature.