Electrooxidation of Glycerol on Polymeric Surface Decorated with Cu Nanoparticles for Application in Direct Glycerol Fuel Cell

In the present study, the electrooxidation of glycerol has been studied: in alkaline media, in passive as well as active direct glycerol fuel cells (DGFCs) containing Cu@SWCNT-POAP as an anode electrocatalyst, that is, copper species immobilized poly (O-aminophenol)/ single-walled carbon nanotube (Cu@SWCNT-POAP) nanocomposite. The Cu@SWCNT-POAP nanocomposite was prepared by a single step electrochemical method. For comparison, an anode electrocatalyst containing Cu@SWCNT has been also evaluated toward glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR). The results obtained have highlighted the excellent electrocatalytic activity of Cu in terms of peak current density and onset potential compared to the results obtained by conventional cu base catalysts. CVs results also demonstrate that Cu@SWCNT-POAP is still active even after 200 cycles. Results exhibit acceptable activity and performance of Cu@SWCNT-POAP in GOR and suggesting it as a new promising anode catalyst for DGFC in alkaline media.