Methanol Electrooxidation on the Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode Prepared Using Pulsed Electrodeposition

Abstract

The preparation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes–NiO nanoparticles composites (MWCNT–NiO) and their application as modifier for methanol electrooxidation in NaOH are presented. Nickel oxide nanoparticles were accumulated on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) by pulsed potential electrodeposition. The structure and nature of the GC/MWCNTs/NiO were characterized by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the results indicated that NiO nanoparticles were homogeneously electrodeposited on the surfaces of MWCNT. Also, the electrochemical behavior of carbon nanotubes–NiO nanoparticles composites in the alkaline solutions of methanol has been studied by cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The observed peak on the potentiodynamic curve for MWCNT–NiO composite electrode in alkaline solutions of methanol is observed which is ascribed to the methanol oxidation in alkaline medium. The achieved results obtained, are discussed for the MWCNT–NiO composites for the catalytic electrodes of fuel cells.