RGO@Ni/NiO composite an effective electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation reaction in alkaline media

Abstract

A composite comprised of reduced graphene oxide and nickel/nickel oxide (rGO@Ni/NiO) was synthesized and used as a modifier to fabricate a modified carbon paste electrode (CPE-rGO@Ni/NiO) for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in alkaline medium. The fabricated CPE-rGO@Ni/NiO showed a pronounced electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation at the potential of about 0.58 V vs. Ag|AgCl|KClsat. The effect of experimental parameters on the electrocatalytic activity of the prepared electrode towards MOR was explored in alkaline medium. The results of hydrodynamic chronoamperometry using the fabricated electrode showed enhanced stability towards MOR at the applied potential of 0.580 V for 11 h. The enhanced stability was attributed to the presence of rGO that not only provides a large conductive surface area with a high electron exchange property to accumulate Ni/NiO but also increases CO-tolerance to resist more towards intermediates.