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 UBO8/rGO hybrids can also catalyze the reduction of hydrogen peroxide.