Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering (Feb 2023)

Reduced graphene oxide as efficient carbon support for Pd-based ethanol oxidation catalysts in alkaline media

  • Sigrid Wolf,
  • Michaela Roschger,
  • Boštjan Genorio,
  • Nejc Hodnik,
  • Matija Gatalo,
  • Francisco Ruiz-Zepeda,
  • Viktor Hacker

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.1643

Abstract

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The sluggish kinetics of the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) and the related development of low-cost, highly active and stable anode catalysts still remains the major challenge in alkaline direct ethanol fuel cells (ADEFCs). In this respect, we synthesized a PdNiBi nanocatalyst on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) via a facile synthesis method. The prepared composite catalyst was physicochemically characterized by SEM, STEM, EDX, ICP-OES and XRD to analyze the morphology, particle distribution and size, elemental composition and structure. The electrochemical activity and stability towards EOR in alkaline media were examined using the thin-film rotating disk electrode technique. The results reveal well-dispersed and strongly anchored nanoparticles on the rGO support, providing abundant active sites. The PdNiBi/rGO presents a higher EOR activity and stability compared to a commercial Pd/C ascribed to a high ECSA and synergistic effects between Pd, Ni and Bi and the rGO material. These findings suggest PdNiBi/rGO as a promising anode catalyst in ADEFC applications.

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