Investigation of the effect of carbonaceous supports on the activity and stability of supported palladium catalysts for methanol electro-oxidation reaction

In this study, nitrogen doped graphene (NG) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were used as supporting materials for palladium active phase to investigate their performance in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The facile and low temperature solvothermal method was used for the synthesis of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of hydrogen energy 2017-09, Vol.42 (36), p.23070-23084
Main Authors: Kiyani, Roya, Parnian, Mohammad Javad, Rowshanzamir, Soosan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Methanol oxidation reaction
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Nitrogen-doped graphene
Palladium nanoparticles
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Summary:In this study, nitrogen doped graphene (NG) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were used as supporting materials for palladium active phase to investigate their performance in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The facile and low temperature solvothermal method was used for the synthesis of NG. Palladium nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of NG and MWCNT by a modified polyol reduction method. The morphologies and microstructures of the prepared catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Also, cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were carried out to evaluate the electrocatalytic activity and the durability of the obtained catalysts towards methanol oxidation reaction. Pd/NG catalyst had a better activity and durability of methanol electrocatalytic oxidation rather than Pd/MWCNT catalyst, which is related to good dispersion of Pd nanoparticles on the surface of nitrogen doped graphene and the physicochemical characteristics of NG. •Nitrogen doped graphene (NG) was synthesized through solvothermal reaction.•MWCNTs were functionalized to create active sites for metal nanoparticles deposition.•Pd nanoparticles were deposited on NG and MWCNT by polyol reduction method.•The electrocatalytic performance of Pd/NG catalyst was higher than Pd/MWCNT.•Pd/NG catalyst could potentially provide much higher durability than Pd/MWCNT.
ISSN:0360-3199
1879-3487
DOI:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.07.113