Preparation and characterization of a novel nickel–palladium electrode supported by silicon nanowires for direct glucose fuel cell

Nickel–palladium and silicon nanowires (SiNWs) fabricated by chemical etching and electroless plating (EP) are evaluated as anodes in glucose fuel cells (FC). The effects of processing parameters and structural characteristics such as concentrations of KOH and glucose, medium temperature, and palladium electroless plating on the FC performance are determined. The nickel/silicon electrode exhibits significant activity even without the palladium catalyst and noticeable improvement is observed by incorporating SiNWs. The ordered channels in the SiNWs and coherence rendered by Ni–Pd are important to the enhanced electrode activity. The glucose oxidation current measured from the Ni–Pd/SiNWs electrode is approximately 4.8 mA higher than that on the Ni–Pd/Si one. Our results reveal superior electrooxidation performance and long-term stability and Ni–Pd/SiNWs are useful glucose FC anodes in integrated fuel cell applications.