Screening of catalytic effects on copper–zinc thin film combinatorial libraries for formaldehyde oxidation

Abstract

A CuZn thin film combinatorial library was fabricated using a thermal co‐evaporator. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) microcstructure, composition and crystallographic properties were investigated. Pure brass alloys were evidenced due to solid solution mixing of Cu and Zn. The crystallite size and lattice parameters were calculated and compared with values of pure Cu and α‐brass. With the aid of scanning in a wide compositional spread (3.4 at.% Zn to 27 at.% Zn). droplet cell microscopy (SDCM) the thermally evaporated CuZn thin film combinatorial library was screened for electrocatalytic effects on the formaldehyde oxidation. The obtained cyclic voltammograms show the occurrence of the formaldehyde oxidation leading to formic acid. CuZn thin film alloys were examined for their electrocatalytic oxidation of formaldehyde in an aqueous 0.1 M Na2SO4 solution at different pH values using cyclic voltammetry. The highest catalytic effect was obtained at a pH value of 13.0 for a composition of Cu–8.0 at.% Zn.

Electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose by screening combinatorial copper–nickel alloys

“…Similarly to the discussed case of electrolyte without glucose, at low potential Ni(OH) 2 is formed, followed by the oxidation of Cu to CuO leading to Cu(OH) 2 on the surface of the Cu–Ni electrode . As a result of these reactions a mixture of NiOOH and Cu(OH) 2 is built at the electrolyte/electrode interface.…”

Copper-nickel combinatorial library screening for electrocatalytic formaldehyde oxidation

“…The first cycle of each measurement is presented as measured during the investigations of the electrocatalytic behaviour of the Cu–Ni thin film combinatorial library. Generally, at low potentials Ni(OH) 2 and Cu(OH) 2 are formed on the electrode surface . This results in a mixture of NiOOH and Cu(OH) 2 being formed at the electrolyte/electrode interface .…”

“…Additionally, Cu and Cu‐alloys showed similar electrocatalytic effects compared to noble metals . Good physical properties, excellent corrosion resistance and reasonable price have attracted more attention in developing Cu–Ni catalysts for formaldehyde oxidation .…”

Optimum Copper-Palladium Catalyst from a Combinatorial Library for Sensitive Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensors

“…Alloying Pd with a nonnoble metal lowers the material cost tremendously [9]. Cu and its alloys showed good corrosion resistance and electrocatalytic behavior towards glucose oxidation [9,[20][21][22].…”