Facile electrochemical co-deposition of metal (Cu, Pd, Pt, Rh) nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide for electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate/nitrite. (10th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Chencheng; Li, Fengwang; An, Hao; Li, Zhengkui; Bond, Alan M.; Zhang, Jie
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 269(2018)
• Page Start: 733
• Page End: 741
• Publication Date: 2018-04-10
• Subjects: Electrochemical co-deposition -- Metal nanoparticles -- Reduced graphene oxide -- Nitrate/nitrite -- Electrocatalytic reduction; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2018.03.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Abstract: Monodispersed metal (Cu, Pd, Pt, Rh) nanoparticles have been anchored on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by a facile electrochemical co-deposition method. Scanning electron microscopic images reveal the presence of homogeneously dispersed metal nanoparticles on the rGO nanosheets. The as-prepared nanocomposites demonstrate excellent electrocatalytic activity for electroreduction of NO3 − and NO2 − . The mechanisms associated with the best performed Rh-rGO were studied in detail by cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) and Fourier transformed ac voltammetry. It is proposed that the electrocatalytic reduction of NO3 − on Rh-rGO is catalyzed by an adsorbed H* (H + aq + e − → H*) species to form NO2 − which is further catalyzed by H* to form a surface confined NO* intermediate. Rh-rGO displays high electrochemical stability for NO3 − reduction over the pH range of 4–9, which could be a suitable candidate for applications in remediation of NO3 − contamination. Graphical abstract: