Palladium-based electrocatalysts are widely used in alkaline direct alcohol fuel cells. The synthesis and characterization of carbon-supported bimetallic nanoparticles (NP) of AuPd and AgPd is described using pecan nutshell extract (Carya illinoinensis) which serves as both, reducing and the stabilizing agent. This environmentally friendly route generates bimetallic NP for a wide range of applications, including electrocatalysis; since particularly AuPd NP proved to be a potentially suitable electrode material for alkaline direct methanol fuel cells. The electrocatalytic activity of these nanomaterials was comparable to commercially available Pd/C 1% in the electro-oxidation of methanol in alkaline media.
Keywords: Alkaline methanol fuel cells; Bimetallic alloy; Green Au-Pd nanoparticles; Microwave-assisted synthesis; Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) shell extract.