Synthesis and investigation of a high-activity catalyst: Au nanoparticles modified metalic Ti microrods for NaBH4 electrooxidation

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 43; no. 7; pp. 3688 - 3696
• Main Authors: Song, Congying, Li, Biaopeng, Cheng, Kui, Ye, Ke, Zhu, Kai, Cao, Dianxue, Wang, Guiling
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.02.2018
• Subjects: Electrocatalyst; Gold modified titanium; Hydrothermal etching; Microrods; Sodium borohydride oxidation; Hydrothermal etching; Electrocatalyst; Microrods; Gold modified titanium; Sodium borohydride oxidation
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.12.165

A novel catalyst electrode of Au nanoparticles modified Ti microrods is synthesized through a route of hydrothermal etching and electrodeposition. As substrate, the metallic Ti microrods are in-situ etched from the Ti plate using hydrochloric acid as an etching reagent. After that, Au is prepared on the metallic Ti microrods in a form of nanoparticle by electrodeposition. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are conducted to investigate the structure and phase composition of the Au nanoparticles modified Ti microrods (Au/Ti MRs) electrode. Besides, the electrocatalytic property of the Au/Ti MRs electrode for NaBH4 oxidation is explored through chronoamperometry (CA) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). In alkaline solution, the Au/Ti MRs electrode displays excellent electrocatalytic property and good stability. At 0 V, there is a current density of 12.12 mA cm−2 on the as-prepared electrode in 2 mol L−1 NaOH and 0.1 mol L−1 NaBH4 that is twice as the current density on Au nanoparticles modified Ti plate electrode demonstrating huge potential for application in direct borohydride fuel cell. [Display omitted] •Metallic Ti MRs substrate is obtained by hydrothermal etching.•Au/Ti MRs reveal good catalytic activity and stability toward NaBH4 oxidation.•Au/Ti MRs possess special 3D structure and large surface area.