Green Synthesis of MoNi@TiO2 Nanocatalyst for Efficient Methanol Oxidation: Structural, Morphological, and Electrochemical Insights

This study presents a novel, green approach for synthesizing MoNi@TiO2 core-shell nanocomposites as efficient electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The use of Curcuma longa extract as a bioreduction and stabilizer agent for the synthesis of the nanocatalyst offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional synthetic methods. Characterization confirms the successful formation of well-defined core-shell structures with a narrow size distribution and minimal organic residue. Remarkably, the presence of specific Mo/Ni oxide phases alongside anatase and rutile TiO2 in the shell verified unique catalytic properties. The developed Ni/MoNi@TiO2 electrocatalyst demonstrates promising electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation, comparable to or even surpassing established transition metal catalysts such as Pt-based catalysts, offering a promising alternative for DMFC applications. The concentration-dependent peak current density further highlights its potential for efficient DMFC operation. This work demonstrates the feasibility and advantages of using bio-inspired synthesis for developing sustainable and high-performance electrocatalysts for energy conversion applications.