Remarkable electrocatalytic activity of Pd nanoparticles dispersed on polyaniline-polydiphenylamine copolymer nanocomposite for methanol and ethanol oxidation reaction

In this work, we prepare a palladium nanoparticle dispersed on polyaniline and polydiphenylamine copolymer (Pd@PANI-PDPA) nanocomposite by in situ oxidative polymerization followed by reduction method. The synthesized Pd@PANI-PDPA nanocomposite morphology, chemical composition, molecular vibrational spectra, and crystallographic structure were analyzed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy with mapping (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) techniques respectively. The electrocatalytic activity of the Pd@PANI-PDPA nanocomposite modified electrode is studied by cyclic voltammetry, impedance, and chronoamperometry studies. The electrocatalyst Pd@PANI-PDPA exhibits higher electrochemical active surface area, excellent activity (lower oxidation potential, significant cyclic stability, and durability) towards methanol and ethanol oxidation reaction in an alkaline medium than pure Pd, Pd@PDPA, Pd@PANI electrocatalyst. The electrocatalyst Pd@PANI-PDPA nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode can be a remarkable anode catalyst for direct alcohol oxidation reaction in the future.

Automated summary

In this study, a Pd@PANI-PDPA nanocomposite was prepared and characterized for its morphology, chemical composition, vibrational spectra, and crystallographic structure, as well as its electrocatalytic activity. The results showed that the Pd@PANI-PDPA catalyst exhibited excellent activity and stability towards methanol and ethanol oxidation reactions in an alkaline medium, making it a promising anode catalyst for future direct alcohol oxidation reactions.