Fabric-based flexible electrode with multi-walled carbon nanotubes@Ni network structure as a novel anode for hydrogen peroxide electrooxidation

Abstract

A simple method involving dyeing and electrodeposition is introduced to fabricate a three-dimensional Ni@multi-walled carbon nanotubes flexible electrode on wearable fabric. The as-prepared Ni@multi-walled carbon nanotubes/Fabric (Ni@MWNTs/Fabric) electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectrometry. The catalytic activity of the Ni@MWNTs/Fabric electrode for hydrogen peroxide electrooxidation was tested by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Such a three-dimensional hybrid electrode structure allows a large specific surface area and a large mass loading, which lead to a high areal current density of 720 mA cm⁻² at 0.5 V in 2 mol dm⁻³ NaOH and 2.5 mol dm⁻³ hydrogen peroxide. The electrode shows great promise as the anode of a direct peroxide fuel cell due to its being flexible, wearable, and environmentally friendly.