Abstract:In this paper, a catalyst of hollow PdCu alloy nanocubes supported on nitrogendoped graphene support (H-PdCu/ppy-NG) is successfully synthesized using a simple onepot template-free method. Two other catalyst materials such as solid PdCu alloy particles supported on this same nitrogen-doped graphene support (PdCu/ppy-NG) and hollow PdCu alloy nanocubes supported on the reduced graphene oxide support (H-PdCu/RGO) are also prepared using the similar synthesis conditions for comparison. It is found that, among these three catalyst materials, H-PdCu/ppy-NG gives the highest electrochemical active area and both the most uniformity and dispersibility of H-PdCu particles. Electrochemical tests show that the H-PdCu/ppy-NG catalyst can give the best electrocatalytic activity and stability towards the ethanol electrooxidation when compared to other two catalysts. Therefore, H-PdCu/ppy-NG should be a promising catalyst candidate for anodic ethanol oxidation in direct ethanol fuel cells.
OPEN ACCESSCatalysts 2015, 5 748
To control and regulate both the shape and size of metal nanoparticles is essential for the design and preparation of active and stable catalysts for fuel cell reactions such as the ethylene glycol (EG) electrooxidation reaction, which is highly sensitive to the structure of the catalysts. We report the synthetic strategy of PdCu alloy hollow nanocube supported on sulfur‐doped graphene (H‐PdCu/SG) catalyst through a self‐assembled hydrothermal process for ethylene glycol (EG) electrooxidation reaction. The as‐prepared hollow PdCu alloy nanocubes are well distributed on the SG surface with a relatively small particle size distribution. Additionally, the H‐PdCu/SG catalyst shows a superior electrocatalytic activity and stability toward EG oxidation.
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