Reduced graphene oxide as efficient carbon support for Pd-based ethanol oxidation catalysts in alkaline media

• Published in: Journal of electrochemical science and engineering
• Main Authors: Sigrid Wolf, Michaela Roschger, Boštjan Genorio, Nejc Hodnik, Matija Gatalo, Francisco Ruiz-Zepeda, Viktor Hacker
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Association of Physical Chemists (IAPC) 09.08.2023
• Subjects: alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell; electrochemical active surface area; rotating disk electrode; synergistic effects
• ISSN: 1847-9286
• DOI: 10.5599/jese.1643

The sluggish kinetics of the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) and the related development of low-cost, highly active and stable anode catalysts still remains the major challenge in alkaline direct ethanol fuel cells (ADEFCs). In this respect, we synthesized a PdNiBi nanocatalyst on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) via a facile synthesis method. The prepared composite catalyst was physicochemically characterized by SEM, STEM, EDX, ICP-OES and XRD to analyze the morphology, particle distribution and size, elemental composition and structure. The electrochemical activity and stability towards EOR in alkaline media were examined using the thin-film rotating disk electrode technique. The results reveal well-dispersed and strongly anchored nanoparticles on the rGO support, providing abundant active sites. The PdNiBi/rGO presents a higher EOR activity and stability compared to a commercial Pd/C ascribed to a high ECSA and synergistic effects between Pd, Ni and Bi and the rGO material. These findings suggest PdNiBi/rGO as a promising anode catalyst in ADEFC applications.