In situ synthesis of palladium nanoparticle on functionalized graphene sheets at improved performance for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media

• Published in: Electrochimica acta Vol. 111; pp. 855 - 861
• Main Authors: Zhang, Mingmei, Xie, Jimin, Sun, Qian, Yan, Zaoxue, Chen, Min, Jing, Junjie, Hossain, A.M. Showkot
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 30.11.2013
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalysts; Dimethyldiallylammonium chloride; Ethanol; Ethanol oxidation; Ethyl alcohol; Fuel cell; Graphene; Media; Oxidation; Palladium; Pd Nanoelectrocatalyst; Ethanol oxidation; Pd Nanoelectrocatalyst; Dimethyldiallylammonium chloride; Graphene; Fuel cell
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2013.08.135

Uniformly dispersed Pd nanoparticles (1.8nm) were densely in situ decorated on DMDAAC-modified graphene surfaces and used as catalysts for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media demonstrating a higher catalytic activity and stability than that of a Pd/RGO catalyst with the same Pd content on the electrode. •Pd nanoparticles were successfully anchored on diallyldimethylammonium chloride modified graphene oxide by polyol microwave heating method.•High Pd metal loadings, up to 80wt. % with a mean size of 1.8nm, were densely in situ decorated on DMDAAC-modified reduced graphene oxide surfaces.•DMDAAC functionalized reduced graphene oxide provided the higher electrochemical active surface area.•Surface area and size of modified Pd/DMDAAC-RGO catalysts explain the improved electroactivity and the stability. Dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (DMDAAC) modified reduced graphene oxide supported Pd nanoparticles (Pd/DMDAAC-RGO) were fabricated by polyol microwave heating method. The Pd/DMDAAC-RGO hybrid were characterized by transmission electromicroscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and electrochemical tests. High Pd metal loadings, up to 80wt. % with a mean size of 1.8nm, were densely in situ decorated on DMDAAC-modified RGO surfaces. Compared with traditional carbon-based Pd catalysts, Pd/DMDAAC-RGO exhibits better activity and stability for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media with the same Pd content on the electrode. This improved activity indicates that DMDAAC plays a crucial role in the dispersion and stabilization of Pd nanoparticles on RGO sheets and DMDAAC-RGO are able to an alternative support for Pd immobilization in direct ethanol fuel cells and other catalytic devices.