Synthesis of Ag/NiO composite nanosheets and empty microspheres and their highly effective electrocatalytic properties

Ag/NiO composite nanosheets and empty microspheres were fabricated by calcining the precursors synthesized via hydrothermal and solvothermal procedures involved four methods. The as-prepared samples were characterized by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The electrocatalytic properties of Ag/NiO composites modified on a glassy carbon electrode for p -nitrophenol reduction were investigated. The results showed that Ag/NiO composites exhibited highly enhanced electrocatalytic activity than a bare glassy carbon electrode, for not only the peak current increased clearly but also the corresponding peak potential decreased markedly. As a comparison, two NiO samples were used and the results showed that the peak current has an increase but the peak potentials have a slight decrease by comparing to a bare glassy carbon electrode. The Ag/NiO composites have the potential application in the electrocatalysis for the reduction of nitrophenol materials.