Electrospun carbon nanofiber-supported Pt-Pd alloy composites for oxygen reduction

Carbon nanofiber-supported Pt-Pd alloy composites were prepared by co-electrodepositing Pt-Pd alloy nanoparticles directly onto electrospun carbon nanofibers. The morphology and size of Pt-Pd alloy nanoparticles were controlled by the surface treatment of carbon nanofibers and the electrodeposition duration time. Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM)/(EDS) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to study the composition of Pt-Pd alloy on the composites, and the co-electrodeposition mechanism of Pt-Pd alloy was investigated. The resultant Pt-Pd/carbon nanofiber composites were characterized by running cyclic voltammograms in oxygen-saturated 0.1 M HClO4 at 25 degrees C to study their electrocatalytic ability to reduce oxygen. Results show that Pt-Pd/carbon nanofiber composites possess good performance in the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen. Among all Pt-Pd/carbon nanofibers prepared, the nanofiber composite with a Pt-Pd loading of 0.90 mg/cm(2) has the highest electrocatalytic activity by catalyst mass.