Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol on PtNiZn electrode in alkaline medium

Abstract

In this study, a platinum electrode was coated with NiZn layer (Pt/NiZn) in a nickel zinc bath by electrodeposition for use as anode material for methanol electrooxidation in alkaline solution. The electrode prepared was etched in a concentrated alkaline solution (30% NaOH) to produce a porous and electrocata lytic surface suitable for use in the methanol electrooxidation (Pt/NiZn). The surface morphologies and compositions of coating before and after alkaline leaching were determined by energy dispersive X ray (EDX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The effect of NiZn coated platinum electrode for methanol electrooxidation was investigated in 1 M NaOH solution by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electro chemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Methanol electrooxidation on Pt/NiZn electrode was studied at various temperatures and potential scan rates. The results showed that Pt/NiZn electrode behaved as an efficient catalyst for the electrooxidation of methanol in alkaline medium.