ZnTe/Quinhydrone nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode as a promising ethanol electro-oxidation catalyst in acid media for fuel cell applications

The ZnTe semiconductor nanorods were synthesized by a novel chemical route. The ZnTe nanorods were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, UV–vis and cyclic voltammetry techniques. Then, this product and quinhydrone were used for the electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol in acid medium. The ZnTe/QH/GCE fabricated by drop casting 5 μl of their suspension with weight ratio of 1:1 (ZnTe: Quinhydrone, 5mg/ml prepared in Milli-Q water) on a cleaned glassy carbon electrode surface showed a higher electrocatalytic activity toward ethanol oxidation. Furthermore, the ZnTe/QH/GCE displayed a higher stability with 93% retention of the initial current density after 5000 s in long term current-time curve. This newly prepared ZnTe/QH nanohybrid could be a promising anodic catalyst for the direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) application.