Graphene/Polyaniline nanocomposite as efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction for fuel cells

The present work reports a cost effective, one pot synthesized metal free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline medium. Graphene nanosheets (GNS) - polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite was prepared by facile chemical route using pre-synthesized GNS and PANI materials. The resulted GNS-PANI nanocomposite material exhibited a finite and improved electro catalyticactivity, compared to GNS. The physical, chemical, and structural properties of the synthesized material are fully examined using various microscopic, spectroscopic and electroanalytical techniques. The results strongly signify that PANI nanofibers are homogeneously dispersed and interconnected with GNS. This synergistic features between these two materials will enhance the charge transfer process at electrode–electrolyte interface. GNS-PANI nanocomposite shows finite onset potential towards ORR with a 190 mV positive shift compared to GNS and exhibited finite tolerance towards methanol cross over effect and durability.