The influence of P content on the electrocatalytic properties of Pd-P electroless alloys for HER on aqueous/ethanolic media

Pd-P modified carbon steel electrodes have been prepared by electroless deposition using sodium hypoposphite as reducing agent. The alloy characteristics (structure and morphology) were analysed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) revealing that the degree of amorphicity increases with the amount of co-deposited P. The behaviour of Pd-P with different compositions towards the HER, analysed in water-ethanol and pure ethanol solutions, have shown that the alloy amorphous character enhances the hydrogen adsorption. The results suggest that Pd-P films with adequate phosphorous content (17% at.) are suitable electrode surfaces for organic substrates hydrogenation.