Highly efficient and stable palladium nanoparticles supported on an ionic liquid silica sol-gel modified electrode

A carbon ionic liquid electrode modified with a thin layer of silica sol-gel containing phosphinite ionic liquid was prepared for deposition of palladium nanoparticles. Palladium nanoparticles were formed easily by simple contact of the modified electrode with palladium chloride solution. The novel material overcomes the shortcomings of conventionally modified electrodes with a thin layer of silica sol-gel, due to the existence of ionic liquid in silica matrix. A crack-free sol-gel matrix was obtained and also, the uniform porous structure of the ionic liquid-sol-gel matrix resulted in a fast mass transport and increased ionic conductivity. The electrode exhibits high electrocatalytic effects towards hydrazine and ascorbic acid. It is very stable against repetitive cycling in the applied potential window.