Comparative Study of Electrocatalytic Activity Towards Borohydride Oxidation on Gold- or Platinum-Metal (Cu, Co, Ni) Deposited on the Titanium Surface Via Galvanic Displacement

Here we present comparative study of electrocatalytic activity of gold- or platinum-metal (Cu, Co, Ni) catalysts deposited on the titanium surface towards the oxidation of borohydride in alkaline medium. A simple and cost-effective galvanic displacement technique was used for preparation of nanostructured catalysts [1-4]. The morphology, structure and composition of the prepared nanostructured catalysts were examined using Field emission scanning electron microscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and inductively coupled optical emission spectroscopy. The borohydride oxidation kinetic was studied on the as-prepared catalysts by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The electrocatalytic activity of catalysts was compared with that of bulk Au or Pt electrodes.

Well-adherent gold- or platinum-coated metal (Cu, Co, Ni) films with nm-scaled particles were formed on the surface of titanium. The electrocatalytic activity of the as-prepared nanostructured catalysts was compared on the basis of electrochemical data. It was found that the nanostructured gold- or platinum-metal (Cu, Co, Ni) catalysts deposited on the titanium surface via galvanic displacement exhibits an enhanced electrochemical activity towards the oxidation of borohydride as compared to that of bulk Au or Pt electrodes and seem to be promising anodic materials for direct borohydride fuel cells.

 

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by a Grant (No. ATE-08/2012) from the Research Council of Lithuania.

References

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