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.