Highly Active PdNi/RGO/Polyoxometalate Nanocomposite Electrocatalyst for Alcohol Oxidation

Langmuir. 2018 Feb 27;34(8):2685-2691. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b04031. Epub 2018 Feb 12.

Abstract

A PdNi/RGO/polyoxometalate nanocomposite has been successfully synthesized by a simple wet-chemical method. Characterizations such as transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are employed to verify the morphology, structure, and elemental composition of the as-prepared nanocomposite. Inspired by the fast-developing fuel cells, the electrochemical catalytic performance of the nanocomposite toward methanol and ethanol oxidation in alkaline media is further tested. Notably, the nanocomposite exhibits excellent catalytic activity and long-term stability toward alcohol electrooxidation compared with the PdNi/RGO and commercial Pd/C catalyst. Furthermore, the electrochemical results reveal that the prepared nanocomposite is attractive as a promising electrocatalyst for direct alcohol fuel cells, in which the phosphotungstic acid plays a crucial role in enhancing the electrocatalytic activities of the catalyst.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't