Cost effective and energy efficient catalytic support of Co and Ni in Pd matrix toward ethanol oxidation reaction: Product analysis and mechanistic interpretation

Abstract

The present investigation deals with the comparative analysis of electro-catalytic behaviour of Pt, Pd and ternary combinations of Co and Ni with Pd NPs, supported on vulcan XC72 as the anode component in direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) operating in alkaline environment. Catalyst NPs were synthesized by ethylene glycol reduction method and their structure, composition and surface morphology were determined through XRD, EDAX and TEM techniques. The superb catalytic efficiency of PdCoNi/C toward ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) is ascribed to the catalytic intervention of transition metal ad atoms and their surface oxides, culminating to enhanced electrochemical surface area, preferred OH− adsorption on the surface and remarkable yield of oxidation products (CH3CO2− and CO32 −) estimated by ion chromatography. The performance output parameters collectively substantiate not only to the catalytic superiority of the PdCoNi/C catalyst but also affordability to a considerable extent over both the Pt/C and Pd/C catalysts.