au nano dendrites / nd-co3o4 nanoparticles modified glassy carbon as an efficient electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation

In this study, nd-doped cobalt oxide (nd-co3o4) nanoparticles were prepared by a combustion synthesis procedure using co(acac)3 complex. the nanoparticles were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (ir), x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. then, the effect of nd-co3o4 on the electrocatalytic activity of gold nanodendrites (aunds) electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode for ethanol oxidation was studied. the results showed that the aunds/nd-co3o4/gce represents higher active surface area and current density (about 2 times) for the ethanol oxidation compared with the aunds/gce. the current density of ethanol oxidation on aunds/nd-co3o4/gce is much higher than that on aunds/gce. cyclic voltammetry and chrono-potentiometry methods proved that the aunds/nd-co3o4/gce is able to incresae a long-term stability of electrode in alkaline ethanol fuel cell by providing ohads species at the surface of the catalysts. consequently, the aunds/nd-co3o4/gce as an anodic electrode reveals potent catalytic activity for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media.