New composite materials based on reduced graphite oxide for electrochemical sorption of hydrogen and methanol electrooxidation

Abstract

AbstractThe present work describes preparation of the reduced graphite oxide/nickel/palladium (rGO/Ni/Pd) composite and the examination of its basic electrochemical properties. The reduced graphite oxide was prepared by thermal reduction of graphite oxide beforehand obtained by electrochemical overoxidation of graphite in 8 M HClO4. In the second stage, Ni particles were electrodeposited onto rGO by the galvanostatic method. Finally, chemical deposition of palladium catalyst was performed to yield rGO/Ni/Pd composite. Transmission electron microscopy analysis (TEM) along with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) technique has been used to determine the size as well as the distribution of Ni and Pd particles. The acquired electrochemical results revealed that rGO/Ni/Pd composite exhibits a good activity towards the processes of electrosorption of hydrogen. The highest calculated H/Pd atomic ratio for rGO/Ni/Pd electrode was equal 0.62. Electrocatalytic activity of the investigated material is also depicted by the reaction of methanol electrooxidation. Recorded current density of methanol electrooxidation was 15.04 A g−1 Pd.