Synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotube supported nickel catalysts by hydrazine reduction and their electrocatalytic activity on ethanol electro-oxidation

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) supported nickel (Ni) catalysts were chemically synthesized via a hydrazine reduction process with addition of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a special additive. As evidenced by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-revolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), the Ni nanoparticles (NPs) deposited on the sidewalls of MWCNTs were found to be face-centric cubic (fcc) crystal structure, and dispersed homogenously with a sharp particle size distribution centered at around 20 nm of diameter. Electro-oxidation of ethanol on MWCNT/Ni catalysts was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurement. The MWCNT/Ni catalysts showed excellent electro-catalytic activity for the oxidation of ethanol in alkaline solution. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.