Surface characterization of LaNiO3/Ni-PVC composite

The perovskite LaNiO3 was prepared by the sol-gel method. Electrodes of LaN iO3/Ni-PVC were obtained by painting a conductive Ni-PVC composite substrat e with a suspension of the LaNiO3 powder in an ethanol-tetrahydrofuran mixt ure. They were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray p owder diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The study of the electrochemical response of this composite was performed in alkalin e solutions by cyclic voltammetry, open circuit potential and by voltammetr ic charges. The state of the surface and the contribution of the Ni-PVC sub strate in the electrochemical behavior of LaNiO3 were studied for the same electrode after prolonged repetitive potential cycling and oxygen evolution . (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.