Remarkable bismuth-gold alloy decorated on MWCNT for glucose electrooxidation: the effect of bismuth promotion and optimization via response surface methodology

Authors: ÖMER FARUK ER, BERDAN ULAŞ, HİLAL DEMİR KIVRAK

Abstract: In this study, the carbon nanotube supported gold, bismuth, and gold-bismuth (Au/MWCNT, Bi/MWCNT, and Au-Bi/ MWCNT) nanocatalysts were prepared with NaBH₄ reduction method at varying molar atomic ratio for glucose electrooxidation (GAEO). The synthesized nanocatalysts at different Au: Bi atomic ratios are characterized via x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N₂ adsorption-desorption. For the performance of AuBi/MWCNT for GAEO, electrochemical measurements are performed by using different electrochemical techniques namely cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), chronoamperometry (CA), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Monometallic Au/MWCNT exhibits higher activity than Bi/MWCNT with 256.57 mA/mg (0.936 mA/cm²) current density. According to CV results, Au₈₀Bi₂₀/MWCNT nanocatalyst has the highest GAEO activity with the mass activity of 320.15 mA/mg (1.133 mA/cm²). For Au80Bi20/MWCNT, central composite design (CCD) is utilized for optimum conditions of the electrode preparation. Au₈₀Bi₂₀/MWCNT nanocatalysts are promising anode nanocatalysts for direct glucose fuel cells (DGFCs).

Keywords: Gold, bismuth, carbon nanotube, glucose, electrooxidation, response surface methodology (RSM)

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