Electroless Deposition of Ni/Co/Cu nanoparticles on graphite substrate: Nanoparticles for Fuel cell Studies

This book provides the preparation and deposition of Nickel, Cobalt and Copper nanoparticles on graphite substrate by using electroless plating method. The analytical techniques such as FESEM, XRD, EDX, ZPA, XPS, CV and EIS were used to confirm the deposition, composition, morphology and activity of the Ni/Co/Cu oxides on graphite substrate. The graphite surface was activated by the introduction of catalytic nuclei and deposited by immersion electroless plating. The method gives an efficient and cost-effective way for obtaining the graphite deposited with the nanoparticles of Nickel, Cobalt and copper. The materials can be used as effective electrode electrocatalyst system for fuel cell application and the same has been tested for methanol oxidation. The electrochemical studies of oxidation of methanol were carried out using cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. The obtained results implied that the graphite supported Ni, Co & Cu catalysts would serve as better electrode-electro catalyst systems for fuel cell application.