Electroreduction of H ₂O ₂ by Co ₃O ₄ and NiCo ₂O ₄ nanowires and β-Ni(OH) ₂ nanoplates grown on Ni foam

Nanowires (Co ₃O ₄ and NiCo ₂O ₄) 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 H ₂O ₂ in an alkaline medium. Catalytic performance is investigated via cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The Co ₃O ₄ and NiCo ₂O ₄ nanowire electrodes exhibit much better catalytic activity, stability, and mass transfer properties for H ₂O ₂ electroreduction than pressed Co ₃O ₄ and NiCo ₂O ₄ nanoparticle/carbon/ PTFE electrodes. A current density of 101.8 mA cm ^-2 and 122.7 mA cm ^-2 are respectively achieved on Co ₃O ₄ and NiCo ₂O ₄ nanowire electrodes at -0.4 V in 0.4 mol/L H ₂O ₂ and 3.0 mol/L NaOH solution at room temperature.