Rod-like MnO2 boost Pd/reduced graphene oxide nanocatalyst for ethylene glycol electrooxidation

Fangfang Ren; Xuanrong Chen; Rong Xing; Yukou Du

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2020.07.133

Rod-like MnO₂ boost Pd/reduced graphene oxide nanocatalyst for ethylene glycol electrooxidation

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2021 Jan 15;582(Pt B):561-568. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.07.133. Epub 2020 Jul 30.

Authors

Fangfang Ren¹, Xuanrong Chen², Rong Xing², Yukou Du³

Affiliations

¹ College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng 224002, China. Electronic address: renff@yctu.edu.cn.
² College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng 224002, China.
³ College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China. Electronic address: duyk@suda.edu.cn.

PMID: 32911405
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.07.133

Abstract

Anode catalyst is one of the core components of fuel cell, but its poor catalytic activity, short lifespan, and high price are tricky problems to the commercialization of fuel cell. Herein, a novel rod-like MnO₂ decorated reduced graphene oxide (RGO) supported Pd hybrid (Pd/RGO-MnO₂) has been designed, which manifests more negative onset oxidation potential, higher peak current density, and better long-term stability relative to Pd/RGO and pure Pd catalysts when serving for ethylene glycol electrooxidation. This enhancement may be due to the addition of MnO₂, which can effectively promote the adsorption of hydroxyl at a lower potential and produce a strong electronic interaction with Pd, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique. In view of its excellent performance and low cost, Pd/RGO-MnO₂ is considered to be a potential and effective anode catalyst for DEGFCs.

Keywords: Alkaline medium; Electro-oxidation; Ethylene glycol; Manganese dioxide; Pd nanoparticles; Reduced graphene oxide.