Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Electroless deposition of nanosized nickel over graphite substrate with better coating coverage and catalytic activity for fuel cell application

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Journal of Applied Electrochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Nickel nanoparticles of the size 50−60 nm were deposited on graphite particles by electroless plating. The sensitized and activated graphite powder was used as substrate precursor. The depositions of nickel and under layers of Pd and Sn on graphite particles were characterized by the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), XRD, XPS and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques. The FESEM images have shown the deposition of the nickel nanoparticles. The Zeta particle analyser (ZPA) has inferred about the conductivity and average particle sizes of graphite and nickel/graphite powder. The calculated active surface area and surface coverage of Ni-deposited electrode are 0.15 × 10−2 cm2 and 2.4409 × 10−7 mol cm−2, respectively. The Electrochemical studies of graphite and Sn/graphite, Pd/Sn/graphite and finally the Ni−Pd/Sn/graphite were carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV) in the potential range between −1.0 and 1.0 (V versus SCE) at the scan rate of 50 mV s−1. The electrocatalytic activity of the catalyst substance was investigated for methanol oxidation in KOH medium. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) studies of the above electrodes for methanol oxidation in 0.5 M KOH solution have shown a very small arc in the high-frequency region, which corresponds to low charge resistance and high capacitance. This implied that nickel supported on graphite would be a better electrocatalyst for fuel cell application.

Graphical Abstract

Nickel nanoparticles of 50–60 nm size were deposited on graphite substrates by electroless nickel plating. The formation of Ni/graphite powders were proven by SEM, XRD, ZPA, XPES and EDX techniques. A significant electrochemical/catalytic activity of the Ni/graphite electrode was observed by impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry for methanol oxidation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zhang J, Sasaki K, Sutter E, Adzic RR (2007) Stabilization of platinum oxygen-reduction electrocatalysts using gold clusters. Science 315:220–222

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Joelma Perez, Valdecir A, Paganin, Ermete Antolini (2011) Particle size effect for ethanol electro-oxidation on Pt/C catalysts in half-cell and in a single direct ethanol fuel cell. J Electroanal Chem 654:108–115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Hamnett A (1997) Mechanism and electrocatalysis in the direct methanol fuel cell. Catal Today 38:445–457

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Dillion R, Srinivasan S, Arico AS, Antonucci V (2004) International activities in DMFC R&D: status of technologies and potential applications. J Power Source 127:112–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Zhang S, Yuon X-Z, Hin J N C, Wang H, Friendrich A, Schulze M (2009) A review of platinum-based catalyst layer degradation in proton exchange. J Power Sources 194:588–600

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wu G, Li L, Li JH, Xu B (2006) Methanol electro oxidation on Pt particles dispersed into PANI/SWNT composite films. J Power Sources 155:118–127

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Shanahan PV, Xu L, Liang C, Waje M, Dai S, Yan YS (2008) Graphitic mesoporous carbon as a durable fuel cell catalyst support. J Power Sources 185:423–427

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Wang X, Li W, Chen Z, Waje M, Yan Y (2006) Durability investigation of carbon nanotube as catalyst support for proton exchange membrane fuel cell. J Power Sources 158:154–159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Ang LM, Hor TSA, Xu GQ, Tung CH, Zhao SP, Wang JLS (2000) Decoration of activated carbon nanotubes with copper and nickel. Carbon 38:363–372

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Palanippa M, Veera Babu G, Balasubramanian K (2007). Electroless-Phosphorus plating on graphite powder. Mater Sci Eng A 471: 165–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Uysal M, Kar slioglu R, Alp A, Akbulut H (2011) Nanostructured core–shell Ni deposition on SiC particles by alkaline electroless coating. Appl Surf Sci 257:10601–10606

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Yu-Qing Kang, Mao-Sheng Cao, Xiao-Ling Shi, Zhi-Ling HouSurf (2007). The enhanced dielectric from basalt fibers/nickel core-shell structures synthesized by electroless plating. Surf Coat Technol 201:7201–7206.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hui X, Yu-Qing K, Lu Z, Hai-Bo J, Bo W, Bao-Li W, Jie Y, Mao-Sheng C (2010) Deposition behavior and mechanism of ni nanoparticles on surface of SiC particles in solution systems. Chin Phys Lett 27(2010):058103–58104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Yang W, Fu Y, Xia A, Zhang K, Wu Z (2012) Microwave absorption property of Ni-Co-Fe-P-coated flake graphite prepared by electroless plating. J Alloys Compd 518:6–10

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Kumar MA, Agarwala RC, Agarwala V(2008) Synthesis and characterization of electroless Ni–P coated graphite particles. Bull Mater Sci 31(5):819–824.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Bi H, Kou KC, Rider AE, Ostrikov K, Wua HW, Wanga ZC (2009) Low-phosporous nickel-coated carbon microcoils: controlling microstructure through an electroless plating process. Appl Surf Sci 255:6888–6893

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Vishnu Mahesh KR, Narasimhamurthy HN, Kumar Swamy BE, Raghavendra N et al. (2011). Synthesis and characterization of organo modified Na-MMT using cation and anion surfactants. Front Chem China 6(2):153–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Risbud MS, Baxter S, Skyllas Kazocos M (2012) Preparation of nickel modified carbon fibre electrodes and their application for methanol oxidation. Open Energy Fuels Sci J 5:9–20

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. El-shafei AA (1999) Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol at nickel hydroxide/glassycarbon modified electrode in alkaline medium. J Electroanal Chem 471:89–95

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Abdel Hameed RM, Khatib KM (2010) Ni–P and Ni–Cu–P modified carbon catalysts for methanol electro-oxidation in KOH solution. Int J Hydrog Energy 35:2517–2519

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Abdel Rahim MA, Abdel Hameed RM, Khalil MW (2004) Nickel as a catalyst for the electro-oxidation of methanol in alkaline medium. J Power Sources 134(2):160–169

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Amin RS, Abdel Hameed RM, El-Khantib KM, Elayed Youssef M (2014) Electrocatalytic activity of nanostructured Ni and Pd-Ni on Vulcan XC-72R Carbon black for methanol oxidation in alkaline medium. Int J Hydrog Energy 39:2026–2041

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Ferdowsi GS, Seyedsadjadi SA, Ghaffarinejad A (2015) Ni nanoparticle modified graphite electrode for methanol electrocatalytic oxidation in alkaline media. J Nanostruct Chem 5:17–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Ramulifho T, Kenneth I (2012). Fast microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis of metal nanoparticles (Pd, Ni, Sn) supported on sulfonated MWCNTs: Pd-based bimetallic catalysts for ethanol oxidation in alkaline medium. Electrochimica 9:310–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Golikand AN, Asgar M, Margesh MG, Shahrokhian S (2006) Methanol electrooxidation on a nickel electrode modified by nickel-dimethylglyoxime complex formed by electrochemical synthesis. J Electroanal Chem 588:155–160

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Fleischmann M, Korineck K, Pletcher D (1971) The oxidation of organic compounds at nickel anode in alkaline solution. J Electroanal Chem Interfacial Electrochem 31:39–49

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Taraszewska J, Roslonek G (1994) Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol on a glassy carbon electrode modified by nickel hydroxide formed by ex situ chemical precipitation. J Electroanal Chem 364:209–213

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Ahmad Nozad Golikand, Mehdi (2006) Methanol electro oxidation on a nickel electrode modified by nickel–dimethylglyoxime complex formed by electrochemical synthesis. J Electroanal Chem 588:155–160

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Changwei Xu, Yongghong Hu, JianhuaRong (2007) Ni hollow spheres as catalysts for methanol and ethanol electrooxidation Electro. Chemistry 9:2009–2012

    Google Scholar 

  30. Ganesh PS, Kumara Swamy BE (2015) Simultaneous electroanalysis of norepinephrine, ascorbic acid and uric acid using poly(glutamic acid) modified carbon paste electrode. J Electroanal Chem 752:17–24

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Bard AJ, Faulkner LR (2000) Electrochemical methods: fundamentals and applications. Wiley, Hoboken

    Google Scholar 

  32. Siswana MP, Ozoemena KI, Nyokong T (2006) Electrocatalysis of asulam on cobalt phthalocyanine modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes immobilized on abasal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode. Electrochim Acta 52:114–122

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Wang X-Y, Yan J, Yuan H-T, Zhang Y-S, Song D-Y (1999) Impedance studies of nickel hydroxide microencapsulated by cobalt. Int J Hydrog Energy 24:973–980

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Studies in Chemistry, Bangalore University, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560001, India

    G. Krishnamurthy

  2. Department of Chemistry, ACS College of Engineering, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560074, India

    M. S. Shivakumar

Authors
  1. G. Krishnamurthy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. S. Shivakumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Krishnamurthy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Krishnamurthy, G., Shivakumar, M.S. Electroless deposition of nanosized nickel over graphite substrate with better coating coverage and catalytic activity for fuel cell application. J Appl Electrochem 47, 519–529 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-017-1043-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-017-1043-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation