Abstract:Copper nanoparticles were prepared by the chemical reduction method. These copper particles were embedded into the polyvinylchloride (PVC) matrix as support and used as an electrode (PVC/Cu) for the oxidation of methanol fuel for improving the current response. The PVC/Cu electrodes were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) for thermal stability of the electrode, X-ray diffraction (XRD) for identification of copper nanoparticles in the electrode, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify the interaction between PVC and Cu and scan electron microscopy (SEM) with EDAX for the morphology of the electrode. The electrocatalytic activity of the electrode was characterized by the cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, and chronoamperometry techniques. An increase in the electrode activity was observed with the increase of copper quantity from 0.18 g (PVC/Cu-0.18 g) to 0.24 g (PVC/Cu-0.24 g) and the maximum was found at 0.24 g of copper in the electrode. Also, it was observed that the electrode achieved the maximum catalytic current in 0.5 mol/L CH₃OH + 1 mol/L NaOH solution. FTIR identified that water molecules, C—H group, copper nanoparticle and its oxide were available in the electrode. SEM images with EDAX showed that copper particles were properly embedded in the polyvinylchloride matrix.

Key words: copper nanoparticles; polyvinylchloride; direct methanol fuel cell; electrochemical methods