▎ 摘　　要

The preparation of catalysts by modifying the surface of base metal nanoparticles with a small amount of active noble metal is of significance, because improved activity and low cost can be achieved. In this study, the electrocatalytic oxidation of propane-1,2-diol on reduced graphene oxide-supported Ni nanoparticles (Ni/RGO) modified with a small amount of Au has been investigated. By electrochemically depositing Au on Ni/RGO, the Au-modified Ni/RGO (Au/Ni/RGO) catalysts with Au: Ni atomic ratios of 1: 290, 1: 152 and 1: 70 were prepared. The characterization of Au/Ni/RGO reveals a partial coverage of the Ni nanoparticle surface by Au adatoms. Ni/RGO shows greatly different behaviors before and after the deposition of Au in the electrocatalytic activity for propane1,2-diol oxidation in alkaline solution. When evaluated in terms of the geometric surface area of glassy carbon (GC) substrate, on which Au/Ni/RGO was coated, the Au/Ni/RGO catalysts show somewhat higher activity than Au nanoparticles supported on RGO (Au/RGO), although Au/RGO shows high catalytic activity and Ni/RGO shows no catalytic activity for propane-1,2-diol oxidation. When evaluated in terms of the electrochemically active surface area (EASA) or the mass of Au, the Au/Ni/RGO catalysts have great advantage over Au/RGO in activity. High activity and low cost are achieved by Au/Ni/RGO. (C) 2016 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.