Preparation and characterization of H1-e rhodium films

Mesoposous films of rhodium were prepared by electrochemical deposition from rhodium (III) chloride dissolved in the H-1 lyotropic liquid crystalline phase of octaethyleneglycol monohexadecyl ether (C16EO8) or Brij(R) 56. Characterization of the electrochemically deposited films using SEM, TEM, small angle X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry show that they are smooth, strongly adherent, with a high surface area (32 m(2) g(-1)) and containing a regular hexagonal array of cylindrical pores with a pore centre to pore centre separation of around 6 nm. Preliminary studies show that the films can be used to carry out the electrochemical reduction of nitrate in basic solution. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.