Electrodeposited Ni on pencil graphite electrode for glycerol electrooxidation in alkaline media

In this study, we report the electrocatalytic oxidation of glycerol in alkaline solution onto Ni modified pencil graphite electrodes (Ni/PGEs). Field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), as well as cyclic voltammetry (CV) have been used for the clarification of the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of Ni/PGEs. The electrocatalytic performance of Ni/PGEs towards glycerol electrooxidation was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Ni/PGE elaborated at pH = 6.92 showed the best performance for glycerol electrooxidation reaction in alkaline media. The direct comparison of glycerol, methanol, and ethanol electrooxidation revealed that glycerol is better than ethanol at 35 and 45 degrees C with a lower onset potentials and higher current densities. Ni/PGE characteristics surpass other nickel based electrodes and therefore promote its use as glycerol electrocatalyst. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.