Study of Catalytic Properties and Corrosion Resistance of Nickel Foam on Copper Substrate in the Process of Ethanol Low-Temperature Oxidation in a Strongly Alkaline Environment

Abstract

Catalytic activity of nickel foam on a copper substrate in the process of ethanol oxidation in highly alkaline media proposed for membraneless fuel cells was studied using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance methods. Studies confirmed the high activity of the NiFoam/Cu catalyst in the processes of ethanol oxidation in these media. It was revealed that ethanol oxidation on nickel foam occurs according to the mechanism of ethanol oxidation in highly alkaline media. Ethanol begins to oxidize at potentials from ‒350 mV on Ni(OH)₂ and then continues to oxidize after the formation of Ni(OOH) oxyhydroxide, when the nickel oxidation state changes from +2 to +3. Studies showed the catalyst high chemical stability, its swelling and peeling off from the substrate were not observed. It has been shown that this catalyst can be used as a basis for subsequent application of layers of cobalt, iron and other component oxides to it in order to improve its catalytic characteristics in low-temperature ethanol oxidation processes.