ItemArticle

Instigating the mixed phases of cobalt oxide in nanowires for electrolysis of urea-based water

Title
Instigating the mixed phases of cobalt oxide in nanowires for electrolysis of urea-based water
Creator
Bhide, Aniruddha; Gupta, Suraj; Bhabal, Rinkoo; Fernandes, Rohan; Patel, Maulik; Patel, Nainesh
Description
The urea oxidation reaction (UOR) offers a more energy-efficient alternative to water splitting, with a lower theoretical potential of 0.37 V and the possibility of using urea-based wastewater as an electrolyte. In this study, phosphorus/boron-incorporated cobalt oxide nanowires supported on nickel foam (P,B-CoxOy NW@NF) are synthesized by hydrothermal and reduction methods as an electrocatalyst for UOR. The P,B-CoxOy NW@NF demonstrates exceptional electrocatalytic performance with a low UOR potential of 1.33 V at 50 mA/cm2 in alkaline media. Comprehensive structural and morphological analyses reveal the formation of mixed Co3O4-CoO phases with abundant oxygen vacancies (Ov) and Co2+ species, which synergistically enhance conductivity and provide ideal surroundings for active M?OOH species formation. In-situ electrochemical kinetic studies highlight the superior catalytic activity of P,B-CoxOy NW@NF, attributed to a high density of active sites, improved reactant adsorption, and efficient desorption of byproducts, including CO2. The catalyst exhibits excellent long-term stability with minimal degradation of 7 % over 100 h of continuous chronoamperometry testing and 2 % loss after 10,000 cycles. Furthermore, the activity of P,B-CoxOy NW@NF is evaluated in alkaline natural cow urine, requiring just 1.35 V at 50 mA/cm2 for UOR, demonstrating its practical relevance for real-world applications. These findings showcase the significant potential of P,B-CoxOy NW@NF as a scalable and stable electrocatalyst for sustainable hydrogen production from wastewater. 2025 Elsevier Ltd
Source
Fuel;Volume;404;Issue;;Article No.;136181;
Date
01-01-2026
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Subject
Electrochemistry; Kinetics; Mixed phase material; Oxygen vacancy; Urea splitting
Coverage
Bhide A., Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India; Gupta S., Advanced Materials Department, Joef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovakia; Bhabal R., Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India; Fernandes R., Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India; Patel M., Department of Materials, Design and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GH, United Kingdom; Patel N., Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India
Rights
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
Relation
ISSN: 162361; CODEN: FUELA
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

Bhide, Aniruddha; Gupta, Suraj; Bhabal, Rinkoo; Fernandes, Rohan; Patel, Maulik; Patel, Nainesh, “Instigating the mixed phases of cobalt oxide in nanowires for electrolysis of urea-based water,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/22264.

Output Formats