Methanol Electrooxidation on the Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode Prepared Using Pulsed Electrodeposition

The preparation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes-NiO nanoparticles composites (MWCNT-NiO) and their application as modifier for methanol electrooxidation in NaOH are presented. Nickel oxide nanoparticles were accumulated on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) by pulsed potential electrodeposition. The structure and nature of the GC/MWCNTs/NiO were characterized by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the results indicated that NiO nanoparticles were homogeneously electrodeposited on the surfaces of MWCNT. Also, the electrochemical behavior of carbon nanotubes-NiO nanoparticles composites in the alkaline solutions of methanol has been studied by cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The observed peak on the potentiodynamic curve for MWCNT-NiO composite electrode in alkaline solutions of methanol is observed which is ascribed to the methanol oxidation in alkaline medium. The achieved results obtained, are discussed for the MWCNT-NiO composites for the catalytic electrodes of fuel cells. (C) 2011 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.055112jes] All rights reserved.