摘要
The electrochemical properties of catalyst materials are highly dependent on the materials structure and architecture. Herein, nano-on-micro Cu electrodes are fabricated by growing Cu microcrystals on Ni foam substrate, followed by introducing Cu nanocrystals onto the surface of the Cu microcrystals. The introduction of Cu nanocrystals onto the surface of Cu microcrystals is shown to dramatically increase the electrochemically active surface area and thus significantly enhances the catalytic activity of the catalyst electrode towards electro-oxidation of hydrazine. The onset potential （-1.04 V vs. AglAgCI） of the nano-on-micro Cu electrode is lower than those of the reported Cu-based catalysts under similar testing conditions, and a current density of 16 mA-cm-2, which is 2 times that of the microsized Cu electrode, is achieved at a potential of -0.95 V vs. Ag/AgCh Moreover, the nano-on-micro Cu electrode demonstrates good long-term stability.
The electrochemical properties of catalyst materials are highly dependent on the materials structure and architecture. Herein, nano-on-micro Cu electrodes are fabricated by growing Cu microcrystals on Ni foam substrate, followed by introducing Cu nanocrystals onto the surface of the Cu microcrystals. The introduction of Cu nanocrystals onto the surface of Cu microcrystals is shown to dramatically increase the electrochemically active surface area and thus significantly enhances the catalytic activity of the catalyst electrode towards electro-oxidation of hydrazine. The onset potential （-1.04 V vs. AglAgCI） of the nano-on-micro Cu electrode is lower than those of the reported Cu-based catalysts under similar testing conditions, and a current density of 16 mA-cm-2, which is 2 times that of the microsized Cu electrode, is achieved at a potential of -0.95 V vs. Ag/AgCh Moreover, the nano-on-micro Cu electrode demonstrates good long-term stability.
基金
Z.P. acknowledges the support from the National Science Foundation （DMR1308577）. X.Y. thanks the funds provided by the University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Graduate Studies.
