Plastic supported platinum modified nickel electrode and its high electrocatalytic activity for sodium borohydride electrooxidation

Abstract

A novel plastic/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNTs)-nickel (Ni)-platinum (Pt) electrode (PMNP) is prepared by chemical-reducing Pt onto the surface of Ni film covered plastic/MWNTs (PM) substrate. The MWNTs are adhered by a piece of commercial double faced adhesive tape on the surface of plastic paper and the Ni film is prepared by a simple electrodeposition method. The morphology and phase structure of the PMNP electrode are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer. The catalytic activity of the PMNP electrode for NaBH4 electrooxidation is investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The catalyst combines tightly with the plastic paper and exhibits a good stability. MWNTs serve as both conductive material and hydrogen storage material and the Ni film and Pt are employed as electrochemical catalysts. The PMNP electrode exhibits a high electrocatalytic performance and the oxidation current density reaches to 10.76 A/(mg·cm) in 0.1 mol/dm3 NaBH4 at 0 V, which is much higher than those in the previous reports. The using of waste plastic reduces the discarding of white pollution and consumption of metal resources.