Nanoporous Cu film/Cu plate with superior catalytic performance toward electro-oxidation of hydrazine

Nanoporous Cu film (NPCF) is fabricated on Cu plate by a novel electrochemical dealloying process in dilute HCl solution. The as-synthesized low-cost NPCF/Cu is used as anode in electro-oxidation of hydrazine for the first time and exhibits superior catalytic activity. The current density from hydrazine oxidation on NPCF is much higher than that on smooth copper. In addition, the NPCF electrode shows unexpected higher stability than Cu nanoparticles in similar size. It is believed that this low-cost NPCF electrode possesses potential application in the hydrazine fuel cell or other catalytic fields. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.