Indirect oxidation of ethylene glycol by peroxide ions at Ni0.3Co2.7O4 spinel oxide thin film electrodes

Films of mixed valency oxides NixCo3-xO4 (1 greater than or equal to x greater than or equal to 0.1) were studied in alkaline solutions for the indirect oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) by peroxide anions HO2- resulting from the cathodic reduction of O-2. It was found that the electrocatalytical activity of the oxides correlated to nominal Co3+/Co2+ content ratio in the spinel structure and that the oxide Ni0.3Co2.7O4, which presents the highest Co3+/Co2+ ratio, was the most effective in the series. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.