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

Original scientific paper

Authors

  • Sigrid Wolf Institue of Chemical Engeneering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25/C, 8010 Graz https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6571-5512
  • Michaela Roschger Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25/C, 8010 Graz, Austria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6638-7987
  • Boštjan Genorio Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0714-3472
  • Nejc Hodnik Department of Materials Chemistry, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7113-9769
  • Matija Gatalo Department of Materials Chemistry, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5041-7280
  • Francisco Ruiz-Zepeda Department of Materials Chemistry, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2637-3433
  • Viktor Hacker Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25/C, 8010 Graz, Austria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5956-7579

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.1643

Keywords:

synergistic effects, electrochemical active surface area, rotating disk electrode, alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell
Graphical Abstract

Abstract

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.

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Published

08-02-2023 — Updated on 08-02-2023

How to Cite

Wolf, S., Roschger, M. ., Genorio, B., Hodnik, N., Gatalo, M., Ruiz-Zepeda, F., & Hacker, V. (2023). Reduced graphene oxide as efficient carbon support for Pd-based ethanol oxidation catalysts in alkaline media: Original scientific paper. Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering, 13(5), 771–782. https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.1643

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 5 (2023)

Section

8th RSE SEE & 9th Kurt Schwabe symposium Special Issue

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