Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotube Supported Nickel Oxide as Catalyst for Electrooxidation of Formaldehyde

In recent years there has been considerable interest in the electrochemical oxidation of small organic molecules on nickel-based electrodes because of its potential utility in electro organic synthesis, in development of fuel cells and in electrochemical detection in flowing streams. In the simplest case a bulky metal Ni-anode polarized anodically in a strong alkaline solution is covered with a high valent oxyhydride species (NiOOH) which is commonly believed to act as a redox mediator between substrate and electrode. Reductions in the consumption of catalyst can be achieved by the use of smaller catalyst particles of greater surface area as this leads to a more efficient use of the catalysts as only metallic atoms present on the surface can be involved in the different adsorption steps, which are always a part of the electrocatalytic process. In fact, the choice of a suitable supporting material is an imperative factor that may affect the recital of supported electrocatalysts owing to their interactions and surface reactivity [1, 2]. Many researches have demonstrated that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be used as a catalyst support where catalytically active metal particles [3]. This paper focuses on the combined activity of nickel oxide particle on the CNTs, as support, towards the oxidation of industrially important fuels, viz formaldehyde. We have shown that gold modified electrode with nickel hydroxide particles and CNTs is effective electrode for oxidation of formaldehyde