(376d) Electroactivity and Stability Analysis of Nickel Oxide Nanoclusters Deposited on Graphene with Ball Milling and Microwave-Assisted Deposition for Glucose Sensing and Fuel Cells

In order to realize commercial sensors and fuel cells, stable electroactivity is a major concern for fuel cell and sensor development. Commercial graphene was used as substrate to form nickel oxide nanoparticles from nickel salts by ball milling and microwave assisted deposition to form 10wt% NiO catalyst. Nanoclusters are characterized by SEM and XRD to identify size and crystallinity. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry are used to assess electrocatalytic activity in 0.05 M NaOH with and without glucose. A conventional three electrode cell was used with catalyst ink doped GCE working electrode, AgCl reference electrode, and Pt wire counter electrode. Ball milled catalyst samples versus ball milled and microwave assisted catalyst samples are compared directly on the basis of open circuit potential, peak current density, sensor sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD), and cycling stability. It is demonstrated that NiO cheaply catalyzes the glucose oxidation reaction and that microwave assisted samples show longer stability during cycling.