Electrodeposited Ni–Cr2O3 nanocomposite anodes for ethanol electrooxidation

Nanocomposite coatings of Ni–Cr2O3 supported on carbon electrodes have been prepared by electrodeposition technique from nickel Watts bath in presence of Cr2O3 nanoparticles. Their electrochemical catalytic activities have been evaluated towards electrooxidation of ethanol in 1.0 M NaOH solution by using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and Tafel plots. The performance of the prepared anodes towards electrooxidation of ethanol as a function of co-deposited Cr2O3 content was studied. The catalytic activity of fabricated electrodes increases with increasing the volume fraction percent (Vf%) of Cr2O3 in the deposited film up to 7Vf%. The Ni–Cr2O3/C (7Vf%) electrode displayed significantly enhanced catalytic activity and stability towards electrooxidation of ethanol compared with Ni/C electrode. The kinetic parameters of Ni(OH)2/NiOOH and ethanol oxidation at Ni/C and Ni–Cr2O3/C electrodes have been evaluated.

► Nanocomposite coatings of Ni-Cr2O3/C have been prepared by electrodeposition technique.
► Ni-Cr2O3/C (7Vf%) showed a higher catalytic activity towards electrochemical oxidation of ethanol.
► Higher kinetic parameters were recorded at Ni-Cr2O3 /C (7Vf%) electrode compared with Ni/C electrode.