Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol on a Nickel(II)-1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol complex modified glassy-carbon electrode in alkaline medium

Abstract

Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol on a glassy carbon disc electrode modified with Ni(II)-1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (Ni-PAN) complex and conditioned by potential recycling in a limited range (between 100–600 mV) in 0.1 M NaOH solution, abbreviated as NiPANME, is studied by cyclic voltammetry in alkaline medium. The results are compared with those obtained for a NiO modified glassy-carbon electrode, NiOME, prepared in similar conditions. The findings show that the NiPAN film behaves as an efficient electrocatalyst for the oxidation of methanol in alkaline medium via Ni(III) species with the cross-exchange reaction occurring throughout the layer at a low concentration of methanol and for a thin film of modifier. Effects of the scan rate and methanol concentration on the methanol oxidation are investigated. The cyclic voltammetry and amperometry methods are used to investigate the methanol electrooxidation at the modified electrode.