Electroless Ni-P coated on graphite as catalyst for the electro-oxidation of dextrose in alkali solution

Graphite particles were coated with Ni-P by electroless deposition using a conventional bath consisting of a nickel salt and hypophosphite. After 15 min of electroless deposition, the graphite particles were covered with 10 wt% nickel and 0.7-1.0 wt% phosphorus as analysed by wet chemical method. Surface morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical characterisation for the catalytic activity was done by cyclic voltammetry. Pure Ni powder and electroless Ni-P coated on graphite were used as catalysts for the electro-oxidation of dextrose (1.8 x 10(-3) to 4.5 x 10(-3) M) in 0.1 M KOH solution. Comparative studies revealed that electroless Ni-P coated on graphite particles acted as a better catalyst than pure Ni powder for catalytic reaction.