3D porous nanostructured Ni3N–Co3N as a robust electrode material for glucose fuel cell

Abstract

Metal nitrides are broadly applicable in the field of electrochemistry due to their excellent electrical properties. In this study, a 3D nanostructured Ni₃N–Co₃N catalyst was prepared by using a versatile urea glass method, and was tested as an anode catalyst for a glucose fuel cell. The synthesized Ni₃N–Co₃N exhibits uniform particle dispersion in structure, morphology, and composition, and has a interpenetrating three-dimensional network structure. Notably, the Ni₃N–Co₃N significantly improved the catalytic activity of glucose oxidation compared to Ni₃N, Co₃N, and conventional activated carbon electrodes. The superior electrochemical performance could be attributed to its porous structure and unique properties, which provided a fast transport network for charge and mass transfer as well as good synergetic effect. The glucose fuel cell equipped with a Ni₃N–Co₃N anode achieved 30.89 W m⁻² power and 97.66 A m⁻² current densities at room temperature. This investigation provides potential directions for the design of cost-effective bimetallic catalysts for a wide range of glucose fuel cell applications.