Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Methanol on Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified by Metal Ions (Copper and Nickel) Dispersed into Polyaniline Film

Asmea Khouchaf,Said Benmokhtar,Mohammed El Mahi Chbihi,Driss Takky

doi:10.4236/msce.2016.42011

Asmea Khouchaf, Said Benmokhtar + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/msce.2016.42011

Copy DOI

Abstract

Polyaniline film was prepared by using the repeated potential cycling technique in an acidic solution at the surface of glassy carbon electrode. Then transition metal ions of Ni and Cu were incorporated to the polymer by immersion of the modified electrode. A comparative study of the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol is made in NaOH, on Ni and Cu on polyaniline film covered glassy carbon electrode (Ni-PANI-GC, Cu-PANI-GC) at 25℃. Catalytic activity for the oxidation of methanol was studied by using cyclic voltammetry.

Highlights

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) are the promising power sources for applications such as electric vehicles and electronic portable
Polyaniline films were obtained at the surface of Au, Pt, and CP electrodes [51]-[53]
Electropolymerization at the surface of GC using consecutive cyclic voltammetry between −0.2 and 1.2 V at 50 mVs−1 was performed in sulfuric acid solution 0.5 M containing 0.1 M C6H5NH2 (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) are the promising power sources for applications such as electric vehicles and electronic portable. In order to improve the activity of methanol electrooxidation, types of mono-metallic electrodes [3]-[8], bimetallic [9]-[17] or multimetallic [18]-[25] are directly used to oxidize methanol. Conductive polymers are important materials because of their specific properties, simple preparation and possible application to electrochemical energy conversion. Polyaniline (PANI) is one of the best candidates because it can be prepared on the electrode substrate as a homogeneous and strong adherent film with a high surface area and good stability in acid media. In order to investigate the effect of PANI nanofibers in methanol electrooxidation reaction, two types of anode, Ni and Cu, were prepared and investigated by cyclic voltammetry

Experimental

Results and Discussion

Preparation of Cu-PANI-GC

Effect of Methanol Concentration

Preparation of Ni- PANI-GC

Conclusion