Electrocatalytical properties presented by Cu/Ni alloy modified electrodes toward the oxidation of glucose

This paper concerns the deposition of metal alloys formed by nickel and copper on electrode surface aiming at the development of electrocatalytic systems. Such alloys were formed on platinum electrodes by direct reduction of Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ sulfate salts in different proportions in a simple and straightforward electrochemical treatment. After the deposition, the conversion to the electrocatalytic oxide form was done in alkaline solutions by cyclic voltammograms. The experimental parameters, such as deposition time and the proportion of copper and nickel in the synthetic solution, were investigated toward the catalytic oxidation of glucose. The materials were characterized by electrochemical experiments, infrared and Raman spectroscopies, and X-ray diffraction, showing that the material is not a simple mixture of nickel and copper oxides. The modified electrodes showed remarkable electrocatalytic properties, indicating an interesting application in the sensor and fuel cell development.