Bimetallic PdAg nanoparticles for enhanced electrocatalysis of ethanol oxidation reaction

The exploration of bimetallic Pd-based catalysts has become a hot-spot for the application of high performance electrocatalysts with long term stability in fuels cell. In this work, alloyed PdxAg1 nanoparticles (NPs) (x = 8, 11, 14, 17, and 20) are synthesized via a solvothermal synthesis approach. The morphologies and compositions of alloyed PdAg NPs are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The optimized Pd(14)A(g)1 NPs exhibited excellent current activity in ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) of 2430 mA mg(-1) in an alkaline ethanol solution, 3.3 times higher than commercial Pd/C counterpart (727 mA mg(-1)), closely related to the change of electron structure and surface active sites. In addition, compared with other PdAg NPs and commercial Pd/C catalysts, Pd14Ag1 NPs performs better antitoxicity, lower reaction barrier, and better long-term stability. Experimental results show that higher catalytic temperature, higher pH values, and higher ethanol concentration should favor the oxidation of ethanol.

Automated summary

The study synthesized alloyed PdxAg1 nanoparticles via a solvothermal synthesis approach and found that the optimized Pd(14)Ag1 NPs exhibited excellent current activity in ethanol oxidation reaction, 3.3 times higher than commercial Pd/C counterpart. Additionally, Pd14Ag1 NPs showed better antitoxicity, lower reaction barrier, and better long-term stability compared to other PdAg NPs and commercial Pd/C catalysts.