Preparation of Ordered Intermetallic Compounds and Their Application in Electrocatalytic Reactions

Abstract

Development of novel metal catalysts with high catalytic activity and selectivity is one of the most crucial research topics in the field of environmental and energy technologies. In general, the development of metal catalysts involves the addition of a second element to the active sites, such as Pt and Pd. Among the various metallic alloys, our focus has been specifically on a class of alloys, known as “intermetallic compounds,” which exhibit long range atomic order. This study aims to review the electrooxidation of formic acid, oxygen reduction reactions using atomically ordered intermetallic compounds such as Pd3Pb and PdCu3, high selectivity or catalytic reaction selectivity associated with additive element species, and CO2 reduction reactions. Furthermore, various factors related to the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction in acidic environments and electrooxidation of formic acid over Pd-based ordered intermetallic compounds have been discussed. The study also examines the photocatalytic activity of intermetallic co-catalysts toward the decomposition of volatile organic compounds using intermetallic co-catalysts. Finally, the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 over Sn- and Pd-based electrocatalysts has been discussed. The review and the ensuing discussions are presented in the backdrop of previous studies conducted in this field and is anticipated to provide important insights for the accelerated development of highly active advanced catalysts.

Keywords

• ordered intermetallic compounds
• fuel cell catalysts
• photocatalysts
• co2 reduction reaction