Thin layer of Ni-modified 13X zeolite on glassy carbon support as an electrode material in aqueous solutions

Abstract

A new type of an electrode material, zeolite modified by the incorporation of Ni or NiO clusters into its cavities, was synthesized by multiple impregnation of zeolite 13X with a Ni-acetylacetonate solution followed by solvent evaporation and thermal degradation of the nickel compound. Samples with a Ni/13X mass ratio within the range 0.2–1.0 were synthesized. Modification by both Ni and NiO clusters, depending on whether the atmosphere was reducing (H2) or oxidizing (air), respectively, was used to finish the sample. After modification, the zeolite kept its original crystallographic structure, as proven by X-ray diffractommetry. The dimensions of the incorporated clusters were limited by the diameter of the zeolite cavities (reaching 1.3 nm). This material, homogenized with 10 wt % of nanodispersed carbon, was bonded in the form of a thin layer to a glassy carbon disc by means of Nafion and used as an electrode material in an aqueous 0.1 M NaOH solution. The cyclovoltammograms of this thin-layer electrode resemble those of a smooth nickel electrode in alkaline solutions.