Palladium sulfide nanoparticles attached MoS2/nitrogen-doped graphene heterostructures for efficient oxygen reduction reaction

• Published in: Synthetic metals Vol. 254; pp. 172 - 179
• Main Authors: Bach, L.G., Thi, M.L.N., Bui, Q.B., Nhac-Vu, H.-T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.08.2019
• Subjects: Electrocatalysis; Fuel cell applications; Molybdenum dichalcogenides; Nitrogen-doped graphene; Oxygen reduction reaction; Palladium sulfides; Electrocatalysis; Fuel cell applications; Molybdenum dichalcogenides; Nitrogen-doped graphene; Palladium sulfides; Oxygen reduction reaction
• ISSN: 0379-6779; 1879-3290
• DOI: 10.1016/j.synthmet.2019.06.001

[Display omitted] •Hybrid of PdxSy NPs dispersing on MoS2/N-GR heterostructure is facilely prepared.•The synergistic effect between PdxSy, MoS2, and N-GR improves ORR performance.•Hybrid produces good catalytic activity towards ORR in alkaline medium.•Hybrid has relative activity but superior stability and methanol tolerance to Pt/C. A novel nanohybrid based on palladium sulfide nanoparticles uniformly dispersing on heterostructure of MoS2/nitrogen-doped graphene (PdxSy-MoS2/N-GR) was developed for catalyzing oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline medium. The nanohybrid demonstrated effectively catalytic performance with a positive onset potential of −0.141 V and half-wave potential of −0.214 V, along with high current response, which are comparable to a commercial Pt/C product. In addition, the nanohybrid also exhibited good stability and excellent methanol tolerance, significantly superior to those of the Pt/C. The obtained results were assumed to the synergistic effects produced by PdxSy, MoS2, and N-GR to enhance numbers of electroactive sites and charge conductivity. In addition, the large surface area of the MoS2/N-GR heterostructure effectively accelerated the electrolyte penetration and diffusion rate of reactant. The outstanding catalytic performance of the PdxSy-MoS2/N-GR opens up a novel approach for developing efficient and cost-effective catalyst towards ORR in alkaline fuel cell applications.