Ni@C Microspheres as Efficient catalyst for Urea Electro-oxidation

Urea is able to be used as a useful fuel in the direct urea fuel cell. Novel structure and morphology is essential to improve the catalytic performance of catalysts for urea electro-oxidation. Preparation of Ni@C microspheres with Ni-btc (btc=benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate) microspheres as precursor was developed herein. These Ni@C microspheres are modified to the glassy carbon electrode and the electrocatalytic performance of Ni@C microspheres for urea electro-oxidation is investigated in an alkaline solution. Experimental results showed that Ni@C microspheres have excellent urea electro-oxidation performance which attributes to the electrocatalytic activity of Ni and high electrical conductivity of C in the Ni@C microspheres.