Electrospun Ni Nanoparticles-Incorporated and Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanofibers as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Urea and Glycerol Oxidation
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, vol.237, no.22, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 237 Issue: 22
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s11270-026-09951-x
- Journal Name: Water, Air, and Soil Pollution
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, Artic & Antarctic Regions, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, EMBASE, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, Zoological Record, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Earth, Atmospheric, & Aquatic Science Collection (ProQuest), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Keywords: Urea electrooxidation, Glycerol oxidation, Nickel nanoparticles, Nitrogen-doped carbon, Electrospun nanofibers
- Ataturk University Affiliated: No
Abstract
In this study, nickel nanoparticle-decorated, nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers were successfully fabricated via electrospinning of a poly(vinyl alcohol)–nickel acetate–urea precursor solution, followed by calcination under an inert atmosphere at 750 °C. The influence of urea content in the electrospinning sol–gel on the structural properties and electrocatalytic performance of the resulting nanofibers was systematically investigated. Morphological and structural analyses confirmed the formation of uniform nanofibers with well-dispersed crystalline Ni nanoparticles, supported on a conductive N-doped carbon matrix. XRD confirmed the presence of metallic Ni⁰, while XPS analysis verified nitrogen incorporation predominantly in the form of pyrrolic nitrogen. Electrochemical studies revealed that the electrode prepared with 0.03 g urea exhibited the most promising activity toward both urea and glycerol electrooxidation. This electrode showed a maximum current density of 34.8 mA/cm2 in 0.5 M urea and 55 mA/cm2 in 0.25 M glycerol, along with significantly reduced anodic peak potentials (0.456 V and 0.495 V vs. Ag/AgCl, respectively). Electrochemical activation curves confirmed enhanced NiOOH formation, and scan rate-dependent studies indicated predominantly diffusion-controlled kinetics. Chronoamperometric measurements demonstrated excellent stability. The superior performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of Ni nanoparticles, nitrogen doping, and the nanofibrous architecture, which collectively enhance electron transport, active site accessibility, and molecular adsorption. This work highlights the potential of low-cost Ni/N-doped carbon nanofiber electrodes as effective non-precious electrocatalysts for energy-efficient oxidation of organic pollutants in wastewater, offering a pathway toward simultaneous waste treatment and energy recovery.