Embedded Ru nanoparticles@ZrO2-nanotube electrode: Preparation and electrocatalytic oxidation of phenol

Herein, we report a facile method to prepare embedded Ru@ZrO2 nanotubes (ZrO2-NTs) electrode. To summarize, highly ordered ZrO2-NTs were fabricated by potentiostatic anodization on zirconium plates, then sensitized and activated by a tin sensitizer and a palladium activator. Subsequently, these ZrO2-NTs were used as substrates for ruthenium deposition, in which ruthenium nanoparticles were formed by hydrazine reduction. The results of characterizations indicated that Ru nanoparticles with diameter of 30 nm were deposited into the tubes and formed a ball-bearing tunnel structure. Furthermore, this Ru/ZrO2-NTs electrode exhibits good electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of phenol in 1 M H2SO4 solution.