Synthesis and characterization of reduced graphene oxide-iron oxide nanocomposite as a potential fuel cell electrocatalyst

Abstract

Driven by the high demand for commercialization of fuel cell (FC) technology, a design of potential oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalayst based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanocomposite has been described and denoted as rGO/Fe3O4. The nanocomposite was synthesized by means of facile one-pot process. The resultant rGO/Fe3O4 was physically and electrochemically characterized by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffractrogram (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Cyclic Voltammetry, (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The FTIR analysis shows the formation of rGO/Fe3O4 from the presence of C=C, C-C and Fe-O bonds in the spectrum of the indicating the synthesis material is successfully obtained. XRD analysis also confirms the presence of rGO and Fe3O4 in the composite by hematite structure indexed peak of diffractogram. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image depicts the attachments Fe3O4 onto the surfaces of rGO. The composite was then dissolved in the solvent and drop-casted on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for electrochemical analysis. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) shows increment in current responses of nearly two and half folds for rGO/Fe3O4/GCE compared to bare GCE. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) shows a stable electron transfers process with lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) of the nanocomposite modified electrode which due to the synergistic effect between rGO and Fe3O4. The results of the analysis show the compound could be a promising candidate as an electrocatalyst for fuel cell.