Investigation of electrode reactions in hydrogen peroxide alkaline medium onto Co, In and Ni by cyclic voltammetry - Part II

The electrocatalytic activity of cobalt and indium (solid and electrodeposited), nickel and nickel foam towards the electrode reactions taking place in stabilized as well as synthesized (produced by calcium peroxide hydrolysis) hydrogen peroxide solutions was investigated. It was found that the cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments carried out on electrodes of solid cobalt, indium and nickel indicated activity with respect to the anode reaction in alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution. The most probable reason for the observed behaviour is a formation of passive hydroxy-oxide layers on the surface of these metals. It was demonstrated that the nickel foam is a material suitable not only for anodes, but can also be used as substrate of various electrodeposited layers. The cyclic voltammetry investigations, carried out on electrodeposited layers of Co and In indicate similar electrode activity compared to the results obtained with solid electrodes with respect to the anode reaction in alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution. An important conclusion from performed experiments is that the data obtained by investigation of hydrogen peroxide medium synthesized through decomposition of CaO2 are analogous to those obtained in stabilized hydrogen peroxide solution which renders this reagent suitable for use in fuel cells.