Cyclovoltammetric studies of carbon materials-supported palladium

Abstract

Various Pd amounts (5 and 20 %wt) were chemically deposited on two different carbon materials (activated carbon and carbon black). Support materials were characterized using low-temperature N 2 adsorption and FTIR spectroscopy. SEM images and X-ray diffraction patterns were obtained for the samples tested. Cyclic voltammetric curves in 0.1 M H 2 SO 4 were recorded over a variable sweep potential range for carbon materials with and without Pd. For comparison, the same electrochemical measurements were performed for powdered palladium. The hydrogen electro-oxidation potential decreased and the removal of adsorbed hydrogen by activated carbon-supported palladium was facilitated, which enables these systems to be used as anodes in hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells.