Bifunctional Electrocatalyst of Pd-C@MoS₂-RGO Hybrid Nanostructures-Size Confined Green Synthesis for Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2019 Aug 1;19(8):4520-4528. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2019.16352.

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to enhance physical interaction between noble metal catalysts (Pd QDs) and support (MoS₂/RGO) using in-situ carbon atom and improve its bifunctional activity towards alcohol oxidation and water oxidation. A few layers of two-dimensional MoS₂ nanosheets were synthesized over graphene oxide nanosheets via a simple one-pot green synthesis process. Pd QDs were then placed over MoS₂/RGO by a simple green process at room temperature. High resolution transmission electron microscopic (HR-TEM) images revealed that Pd QDs were uniformly distributed over MoS₂/RGO nanosheets and dark regions, confirming the existence of MoS₂ sheets over graphene sheets. The activity of low quantity Pd QDs (5 weight%) grafted MoS₂/RGO hybrid catalyst for electrocatalysis of alcohol and water oxidation reaction was tested. Improved catalytic activity and high peak current response of 11.2 mA cm-2 and 2 mA cm-2 were obtained towards methanol and ethylene glycol oxidation, respectively. Additionally, the oxidation of poisonous intermediates and water were tested with this electrode and enhanced catalytic activity was observed. These characteristic improvements of Pd QDs-MoS₂/RGO nanohybrid are due to the smaller size of Pd particles and effective interaction between MoS₂ and RGO. Therefore, the proposed catalyst could be a promising candidate as an anode material for energy conversion and storage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't