Preparation and electrocatalytic properties of triuranium octoxide supported on reduced graphene oxide

Triuranium octoxide-reduced graphene oxide (U₃O₈/rGO) hybrids have been prepared by a two-step solution-phase method. The presence of GO is essential in order to obtain pure phase U₃O₈. The U₃O₈/rGO hybrids exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction. The electron transfer number was calculated to be ~3.9 at -0.7 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) from the slope of the Koutecky-Levich plots. The U₃O₈/rGO hybrids were more stable than commercial Pt/C catalysts. Furthermore, when methanol was present, the U₃O₈/rGO hybrids still retained high activity. In addition, the U₃O₈/rGO hybrids can also catalyze the reduction of hydrogen peroxide.