Abstract
NiO-nanoparticles were chemically designed via surfactant-assisted sol-gel methodology and investigated in terms of FESEM, BET, TEM, and XRD techniques which indicate the successful preparation of NiO-NPs. The electrocatalytic oxidation of urea was studied in the three-electrode cell to evaluate the efficiency of NiO-NPs material for urea electro-oxidation in the KOH medium. The as-prepared NPs demonstrated improved electrocatalytic oxidation of urea at various urea doses from 0.01 to 2.0 mol/l. The excellent electrocatalytic activity could be related to the successful synthesis of NiO-NPs which can easily form NiOOH and generate electrons from urea-bonds during the electrochemical process. This work will provide novel anode catalysts for urea fuel-cells. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.