Electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose on the modified carbon paste electrode with sodalite nanozeolite for fuel cell

In this study, a sodalite nanozeolite was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Following the morphology evolution of the sodalite nanozeolite in SEM images illustrated the formation of a spherical particle with a size between 60 and 80 nm. Then, a carbon paste electrode (CPE) was modified by sodalite nanozeolite and Ni2+ ions. The electrocatalytic performance of the fabricated electrode (Ni-SOD/CPE) towards glucose oxidation were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry in 0.1 M of NaOH solution. Also, the electron transfer coefficient, the diffusion coefficient and the mean value of catalytic rate constant for glucose and redox sites of the electrode were found to be 0.813, 3.13×10−5 cm2 s−1 and 5.34×106 cm3 mol−1 s−1, respectively. Good catalytic activity, high sensitivity, and stability, and easy preparation qualifies the modified electrode for glucose electrooxidation. The obtained data confirmed that sodalite nanozeolite at the surface of the CPE improved the catalytic efficiency of the dispersed nickel ions toward glucose oxidation. The alkaline direct glucose fuel cells operated at ambient temperature with a Ni-SOD/CPE anode created a maximum power density of 4.1 mW cm-2, cathode feed 4 mL min-1 of 0.1 M glucose, and oxygen at 1 bar.

Keywords:

Sodalite nanozeolite , Electrooxidation , Glucose , Modified carbon paste electrode , Alkaline direct glucose fuel cells ,