CuO nanosheets grown on cupper foil as the catalyst for H_2O_2 electroreduction in alkaline medium

摘要

The growth of CuO nanosheet arrays on Cu foil was demonstrated. The morphology and structure of the CuO were examined by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The catalytic performance of the obtained CuO/Cu electrode for hydrogen peroxide electroreduction in 3.0moldm~3 KOH was evaluated by means of cyclic vol-tammetry and chronoamperometry. The CuO/Cu electrode shows an onset potential for H_2O_2 electroreduction comparable to Co_3O_4 nanowire arrays grown on Ni foam and around 100 mV more negative than precious metal catalysts, such as Pt and Pd, demonstrating its good catalytic activity for H_2O_2 electroreduction. The stabilized mass current density for H_2O_2 electroreduction on the CuO/Cu electrode at -0.3 V reached about 57% of that on CO_3O_4 nanowire arrays grown on nickel foam. Compared to conventional fuel cell electrodes fabricated by mixing active materials with conducting agents and polymer binders, this electrode of CuO nanosheet arrays directly grown on Cu has superior mass transport property, which combining with its low-cost and facile preparation, make it a promising electrode for fuel cell using H_2O_2 as the oxidant.