Palladium Nanoparticles Anchored on Three-Dimensional Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotubes as a Robust Electrocatalyst for Ethanol Oxidation

Abstract

Palladium nanoparticles were uniformly anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes with a three-dimensional network structure (denoted as Pd/3DNCNTs) through a facile, surfactant-free, and green approach with ethanol as the reducing agent. As a robust catalyst for the ethanol electrocatalytic oxidation reaction (EOR), Pd/3DNCNTs exhibit superior improved electrocatalytic activity, accelerated kinetics, and robust stability, mainly attributed to the unique architecture features of the 3DNCNTs. The results of this part of the work reveal that the Pd/3DNCNTs with an infusive electrochemical property for EOR are promising for direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) and various other applications in electrochemistry. Additionally, the green approach probably provides some new ideas for the design of other new catalysts for fuel cells.

Palladium supported on polypyrrole/reduced graphene oxide nanoparticles for simultaneous biosensing application of ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric acid

“…This indicates that rGO is functional with PPy-Pd. In addition, the increase in I D /I G ratio proves that rGO/Pd@PPy hybrid was successfully synthesized 32,34 .…”

Size effect studies in catalysis: a simple surfactant-free synthesis of sub 3 nm Pd nanocatalysts supported on carbon

“…Previous studies optimised the activity of Pd electrocatalysts by alloying, [18][19][20] by using different supports 17,[21][22][23] or crystal structures. 24,25 Investigating NPs with a diameter less than 3 nm was challenging.…”

Advanced Catalytic Materials for Ethanol Oxidation in Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells

“…Moreover, nitrogen-doping in CNTs has proved effective in advancing π-binding ability, introducing point defects, and improving interaction between CNT supports and active sites of catalysts [87]. Pd nanoparticles anchored on three-dimensional (3D) N-doped CNTs (denoted as Pd/3DNCNTs) were synthesized via a facile and green method using ethanol as the reducing agent [88], as presented in Figure 5a. The Pd/3DNCNTs catalysts show a much increased catalytic performance and durability towards EOR which benefits from the improved interaction between Pd nanoparticles and nitrogen-containing functional groups as well as the three-dimensional network structure (Figure 5b).…”

“…The insets correspond to the size distribution histograms and high-resolution TEM images of the lattice structure of Pd nanoparticles. Reproduced with permission from[88].Copyright 2018, American Chemical Society. (c) TEM image of well-distributed PdSnNi nanoparticles anchored on carbon nanotubes (CNTs).…”