Sains Malaysiana 50(7)(2021): 2017-2024

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2021-5007-16

Performance of Reduced Graphene Oxide/Iron(III) Oxide/Silica Dioxide (rGO/Fe₃O₄/SiO₂) as a Potential Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalyst in Fuel Cell

(Prestasi Grafin Oksida Terturun/Ferum(III) Oksida/Silika Dioksida (rGO/Fe₃O₄/SiO₂) yang Berpotensi sebagaiElektromangkin Penurunan Oksigen dalam Sel Bahan Api)

FARHANINI YUSOFF^1,2* & KARTHI SURESH¹

¹Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu Darul Iman, Malaysia

²Eastern Corridor Renewable Energy (ECRE), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu Darul Iman, Malaysia

Received: 2 June 2020/Accepted: 23 November 2020

ABSTRACT

Synthesis of the nanocomposite comprises reduced graphene oxide, iron (III) oxide and silica dioxide nanocomposites which were denoted as rGO/Fe₃O₄/SiO₂. The acquired nanocomposite was determined to be a substitute for platinum electrode in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to catalyze reaction, as usage of platinum causes disadvantages in production. The nanocomposite was analyzed physically and electrochemically to ensure the quality of the synthesized compound. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) shows the presences of functional groups such as O-H hydroxyl group, C=C, C=O and existence of silica peak in the spectra of rGO/Fe₃O₄/SiO₂, where the data is also supported by SEM-EDS. Raman Spectrophotometer shows the structural change of three different graphene related materials as modification took place and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the reduction of GO into rGO, where the crystalline structure decreased significantly approximately about 10 nm. This data supported with Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis through surface area examination. The compound of rGO/Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ was drop-casted onto glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for modification into rGO/Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/GCE to carry out electrochemical analysis where Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) shows current response by modified electrode is greater than bare GCE while Electron Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) of same modified electrode affirms the sample underwent reversible process with stable and rapid electron transfers with minimal resistance charge transfer (R_CT). The study of ORR was carried out and observed a good electrochemical response of the nanocomposite when purged with oxygen gas.

Keywords: Graphene; magnetite; oxygen reduction reaction; silica dioxide

ABSTRAK

Nanokomposit disintesis dengan grafin oksida terturun, ferum (III) oksida dan silika diokisda yang dinamakan rGO/Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ sebagai pengganti untuk elektrod platinum tindak balas penurunan oksigen (ORR) sebagai pemangkin atas sebab kekurangan semasa reaksi. Pencirian fizikal dan elektrokimia dibuat untuk memastikan kualiti nanokomposit dijamin. Spektroskopi transformasi Fourier inframerah (FTIR) menunjukkan kehadiran kumpulan berfungsi di nanokomposit rGO/Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ seperti kumpulan hidroksi O-H, C=C, C=O dan silika. Data ini disokong oleh analisis mikroskop pengimbasan elektron (SEM). Spektroskopi Raman menunjukkan perubahan struktur untuk komposit berkenaan grafin, manakala difraksi sinar-X (XRD) menunjukkan pengecilan struktur kristal lebih kurang 10 nm, yang disokong oleh analisis penentuan kawasan permukaan Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). Elektrod karbon berkaca (GCE) diubah suai menggunakan rGO/Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ dengan kaedah salutan titisan bagi pencirian elektrokimia. Kitaran voltametri (CV) dan spektroskopi elektrokimia impedan (EIS) membuktikan nanokomposit melalui proses terbalik dan stabil berserta pertukaran elektron yang pantas, dengan rintangan yang minimum. Objektif utama penyelidikan, ORR dijalankan dan didapati tindak balas elektrokimia yang bagus apabila diterapkan dengan gas oksigen, yang membuktikan nanokomposit yang disintesis dengan kos rendah boleh menggantikan platinum untuk tindak balas elektrokimia.    

Kata kunci: Grafin; magnetit; silika dioksida; tindak balas penurunan oksigen

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*Corresponding author; email: farhanini@umt.edu.my