Nano‐Nickel Doped Carbon Xerogel: Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Performance towards Ethanol Fuel Electro‐oxidation

Abstract

AbstractIn this work, the synergism between the nano nickel particles and its carbon xerogel support, CX, together with their graphite substrate, G, leads to an efficient Nickel/CX/G electrode for electrocatalysis of ethanol oxidation reaction, EOR. The preparation conditions are optimized. The optimum electrode is made of 6 % weight of Ni doped in CX matrix and drop‐casted on a graphite surface, Ni‐6/CX/G. The catalyst structure and morphology are investigated using XRD, SEM, TEM and FTIR techniques. The electrochemical activity towards EOR is tested in 1 M NaOH+1 M Ethanol solutions by cyclic voltammetry combined with a rotating ring disk electrode. The optimum electrode shows an oxidation peak current density value of 5925  and considerable stability. This electrode may serve as a good candidate for the anode in the Direct Alkaline Ethanol Fuel Cell, DAEFC.