Nickel-Cerium Layered Double Hydroxide as Electrocatalyst for Glycerol Oxidation

A new nickel based layered double hydroxide nanomaterial, Ni_0.8Ce_0.2-LDH, constituted by about 3 nm large nanoparticles exhibiting enhanced electrocatalytic properties towards oxidation of glycerol in alkaline media, was prepared by incorporation of 20 wt.% of Ce^III ions into α-nickel hydroxide. This can be oxidized to Ce^IV, as demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, a much electron withdrawing and oxidizing species responsible for electronic interactions and additional electrocatalytic active sites giving rise to synergic effects. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images and the X-ray diffractograms indicated a material with a significantly lower size and degree of crystallinity than α-Ni(OH)₂, one of the factors contributing to its enhanced electrochemical and electrocatalytic activity, as demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, suggesting a good potentiality for development of glycerol fuel cells.

Keywords:
glycerol oxidation; nanostructured materials; NiCe-hydroxide; layered double hydroxides; α-Ni(OH)₂; electrocatalyst