Nanoporous gold on three-dimensional nickel foam: An efficient hybrid electrode for hydrogen peroxide electroreduction in acid media

A hybrid structure of nanoporous gold (NPG) on three-dimensional (3D) macroporous Ni foam has been synthesized by electrodeposition of Au–Sn alloy film followed by a facile chemical dealloying process under free corrosion conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are used to characterize the morphology and structure of the NPG/Ni foam hybrids. It is shown that the Ni foam skeletons are uniformly wrapped by the NPG film which is composed of bicontinuous nanostructures consisting of interconnected ligaments and nanopores. Electroreduction of H2O2 on the NPG/Ni foam hybrid electrode in acid media is investigated by linear scan voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It is found that such hierarchical porous electrode displays superior activity, durability and mass transport property for H2O2 electroreduction. These results demonstrate the potential of the NPG/Ni foam hybrid electrodes for the applications in fuel cell technology.