Catalytic oxidation of methanol on a glassy carbon electrode electrochemically modified by a conductive NiII‐curcumin film

Abstract

AbstractThis work focuses on the electrochemical synthesis and characterization of a conductive polymeric nickel‐curcumin film and its application for electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol in alkaline solutions. It has been found that a glassy carbon electrode modified by this film acts as a very effective catalyst for oxidation of alcohols. Electropolymerization of the nickel‐curcumin complex and oxidation of methanol have been studied by cyclic voltammetry. The described modified electrode provides a durable catalytic surface which allows the voltammetric oxidation of methanol: in 0.1 M NaOH electrolyte the resulting anodic peak is at 0.59 V (vs. SCE). Electrooxidation was not possible at bare glassy carbon electrodes, at least before the onset of the electrolyte decomposition. The mechanism of modifying the film formation has been discussed.