Electrooxidation of ethylene glycol using gold nanoparticles electrodeposited on pencil graphite in alkaline medium

The electrooxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) on the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in alkaline medium was investigated. AuNPs were electrodeposited on pencil graphite (PG) by fast scan cyclic voltammetry. Different sizes of AuNPs deposited on the surface of PG (AuNPs/PG) were used for the electrooxidation process. AuNPs were electrodeposited on PG at various deposition times in the same potential range but with different scan rates and scan cycles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to visualize and characterize the prepared AuNPs/PG electrodes. Cyclic voltammograms were also used to investigate the electrooxidation of EG. The effects of EG and supporting electrolyte concentrations, scan rate, particle size of AuNPs and final potential limit on the electrooxidation process have been investigated. Further studies showed that the electrooxidation of EG is affected by temperature of the medium. The prepared AuNPs showed stability after long-term use.