Multi-laminated copper nanoparticles deposited on conductive substrates for electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol in alkaline electrolytes

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 262; pp. 232 - 238
• Main Authors: XIA, Lun-Peng, PENG GUO, YAN WANG, DING, Shi-Qi, HE, Jian-Bo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier 15.09.2014
• Subjects: ANODES; Applied sciences; Carbon; Copper; Crystallites; ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; ELECTROLYTES; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; FUEL CELLS; LAMINATES; Methyl alcohol; MICROSTRUCTURES; Nanostructure; Oxidation; PARTICLES; Specific surface; Basic solution; Direct methanol fuel cell; Nanoparticle; Surface structure; Electrocatalysis; Solid carbon paste electrode; Multi-laminated particles; 2-Amino-5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole; Paste electrode; Oxidation; Copper; Electrochemical reaction; Modified material; Methanol; Scanning electron microscopy; Stratified material; Alcohol fuel cells; Solid electrode; Transition metal; Nanostructure; Carbon; X ray diffraction; Primary alcohol; Conducting polymers; Conducting polymer; Morphology
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.03.139

A simple electrodeposition approach to grow multi-laminated copper particles on two conductive substrates is presented. Morphological and structural characterization was performed using SEM and XRD. The copper crystallites are preferentially oriented with {111} planes parallel to the substrate surfaces, providing an optimum interface for methanol oxidation. There are a large number of edges, corners, and atomic steps around individual multi-laminated nanostructured particles. The excellent electrocatalytic activity of the particles to methanol oxidation in alkaline solutions is demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry. The presence of the conductive poly(2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole) interlayer between the Cu particles and the carbon paste substrate results in larger specific surface areas of the particles and smaller charge-transfer resistances of methanol oxidation reaction in the lower potential range. Such an anisotropic laminated structure of non-noble metal nanomaterials deserves further investigation for finding a suitable alternative to noble metal-based anodic catalysts in fuel cells.