Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity of Low Ni Content Nano Structured NiPd Electrocatalysts Prepared by Electrodeposition Method for Borohydride Oxidation

Some nano structured bimetallic NiPd electrocatalysts were electrodeposited on glassy carbon electrodes using a double potential step chronoamperometry. The morphology of the electrodeposited samples was investigated by field emission-scanning electron microscopy, while their compositions were evaluated using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. It was observed that the electrodeposited samples contained a low Ni content, in the range of 0.80 - 7.10%. The electrodeposited samples were employed as the anode electro-catalysts for the oxidation of sodium borohydride in NaOH solution (1.0 M) using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, rotating disk electrode, and impedance spectroscopy. The number of exchanged electrons, charge transfer resistances, apparent rate constants, and double layer capacitances were calculated for the oxidation of borohydride on the prepared catalysts. According to the results obtained, the NiPd-2 sample with the lowest Ni content (0.80%), presented the highest catalytic activity for borohydride oxidation compared with the other NiPd samples as well as the pure Pd sample. The anodic peak current density was obtained to be about 1.3 times higher on the NiPd-2 sample compared with that for the Pd sample.