Preparation of a Modified Electrode Using Electrodeposition of Cu Followed by Galvanic Replacement of Ag: Application for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Ethylen Glychol

Abstract In this work Cu modified carbon paste electrode was prepared using Cu2+ ions reduction according to electrodeposition method. Then using galvanic replacement reaction, one layer of Ag was deposited on the surface of electrode. The electrochemical behavior of the modified carbon paste electrode was studied by electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. This Ag/Cu modified carbon paste electrode shows good activity for electrocatalytic oxidation of ethylene glychol. The parameters which are effective on response of modified electrode to oxidation of ethylene glychol, such as applied potential and duration of potential applying for electrodeposition of Cu, duration of galvanic replacement reaction in AgNO3 solution and the kind of acidic solution for electrodeposition of Cu were optimized. The morphology of modified carbon paste electrodes was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Stability of prepared electrode as an anode for oxidation of ethylene glychol was studied. Finaly current density of ethylene glychol oxidation at the surface of proposed electrode was compared with other electrodes reported in literatures. Results show that proposed electrode, owing to having advantages such as appropriate current density, long time stability, not poisoning with ethylene glychol oxidation products, easy and low cost preparation method, can be a good choice as anode of fuel cells.