Preparation of Co-electrodeposited Pd-Au Nanocatalyst for Methanol Electro-oxidation

• Published in: International journal of electrochemical science Vol. 16; no. 11; p. 211133
• Main Authors: Asal, Yaser M., Mohammad, Ahmad M., Abd El Rehim, Sayed S., Al-Akraa, Islam M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2021
• Subjects: Electrocatalysis; Fuel cells; Methanol oxidation; Pd-Au Co-deposition; Poisoning; Pd-Au Co-deposition; Electrocatalysis; Poisoning; Fuel cells; Methanol oxidation
• ISSN: 1452-3981; 1452-3981
• DOI: 10.20964/2021.11.30

This investigation displayed the excellent electro-catalytic performance of methanol electro-oxidation reaction (MOR) in an alkaline medium at a binary catalyst composed of Pd (PdNPs) and Au (AuNPs) nanoparticles that were simultaneously electrodeposited onto a glassy carbon (GC) surface. The effect of the molar ratios of both Pd2+ and Au3+ salts in the deposition bath on the catalytic activity and stability of MOR at the as-prepared catalyst was evaluated. The Pd1Au1 catalyst (that was developed with Pd2+ and Au3+ salts of a 1:1 molar ratio) acquired the highest activity toward MOR in terms of the highest peak current density (Ip, 1.53 mA cm−2 compared to 0.13 mA cm−2 of the "pristine" Pd/GC (abbreviated as Pd1Au0) catalyst) with a significant (ca. − 50 mV) shift in onset potential of MOR. Furthermore, the Pd1Au1 catalyst classified the most durable; sustaining a stable current density of 0.20 mA cm−2 in 0.1 M NaOH solution containing 0.3 M methanol at 0 V after continuous electrolysis for 45 min (the corresponding current density of the Pd1Au0 catalyst was 0.04 mA cm−2).