Electrocatalytic performance impact of various bimetallic Pt-Pd alloy atomic ratio in robust ternary nanocomposite electrocatalyst toward boosting of methanol electrooxidation reaction

The low-loading of precious platinum (Pt) metal electrocatalysts development by alloying with less expensive of earth-abundant transition metals exhibiting high electrocatalytic activity and durability performance towards methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) for new generation sustainability of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) application has aroused increasing consideration. In this typical study, the as-prepared ternary nanocomposite electrocatalysts with controllable composition of the bimetallic Pt-Pd alloy nanoparticles (NPs) in acidic media were synthesized through a facile one-step hydrothermal-assisted formic acid reduction reaction. The main study on the critical impact of the bimetallic Pt-x-Pd-y alloy atomic ratio (x-y = 1:1, 2:3, 3:7, 1:4, 1:9) in the as-prepared ternary RGO/bimetallic Pt-x-Pd-y alloy/0.90CeO(2) nanocomposite electrocatalyst upon its suitability as anode electrocatalyst towards the electrocatalytic performance of MOR was thoroughly evaluated at constant operating conditions. The results clearly demonstrated that the compositions of the bimetallic Pt-Pd alloy NPs can be easily adjusted by varying the Pt-x-Pd-y alloy atomic ratio that can contribute to the significant impact on the electro-catalytic activity of MOR in DMFC. Upon increase in the composition of Pd from the bimetallic Pt-Pd alloy atomic ratio of 1:1 to 2:3 led to increased electrocatalytic activity, long-term stability, durability cycles and charge transfer resistance with respect to the MOR. However, it was continuously decrease with further increase of the Pd proportion in the Pt-Pd alloy NPs atomic ratio of 3:7 to 1:9. The maximum peak current density of the MOR (39.83 mA cm(-2) ) was obtained in the present research work for the as-synthesized ternary nanocomposite electrocatalyst with the bimetallic Pt-Pd alloy atomic ratio of 2:3. The as-synthesized ternary nanocomposite electrocatalyst with low noble Pt content through the alloying strategy could promotes practically employed as anode electrocatalyst under acidic media in DMFC application. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The development of low-loading precious platinum (Pt) metal electrocatalysts by alloying with less expensive earth-abundant transition metals has gained attention for its high electrocatalytic activity and durability performance in the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). In this study, ternary nanocomposite electrocatalysts with controllable composition of bimetallic Pt-Pd alloy nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized through a simple one-step hydrothermal-assisted formic acid reduction reaction. The impact of the bimetallic Pt-x-Pd-y alloy atomic ratio on the electrocatalytic performance of MOR was evaluated, and it was found that the composition of the alloy NPs can be easily adjusted to enhance the electrocatalytic activity and stability. The ternary nanocomposite electrocatalyst with a Pt-Pd atomic ratio of 2:3 exhibited the highest peak current density of 39.83 mA cm(-2), demonstrating its potential as an anode electrocatalyst in DMFC application.