Development of New Nanostructured Au/Co/Cu and Au/CoB/Cu Catalysts and Studies of Their Catalytic Activity

摘要

A simple way to prepare effective catalysts with low Au loadings for the oxidation of borohydride is presented herein. Gold-cobalt and gold-cobalt-boron catalysts were deposited on the copper surface (denoted as Au/Co/Cu and Au/CoB/Cu) via the galvanic displacement technique. The morphology and composition of the fabricated catalysts have been characterized using Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis and X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical behavior of the fabricated Au/Co/Cu and Au/CoB/Cu catalysts with the different Au loadings was examined towards the oxidation of BH_4~- ions in an alkaline medium by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. It has been determined that the Au/Co/Cu and Au/CoB/Cu catalysts exhibit a significantly higher electrocatalytic activity and stability towards the oxidation of BH_4~- ions in an alkaline medium as compared to that of bare Au, Co/Cu and CoB/Cu.