Pd/C promoted by Au for 2-propanol electrooxidation in alkaline media

Pd/C catalysts promoted by Au are investigated as electrocatalysts for the direct 2-propanol fuel cells in alkaline media. The results show that Pd is a good electrocatalyst for 2-propanol oxidation and the activity for 2-propanol electrooxidation is higher than that for methanol electrooxidation on the Pd/C electrocatalysts in alkaline media. Addition of Au can significantly increase the palladium catalytic activity and stability for the 2-propanol oxidation. PdAu4:1/C has higher electrocatalytic activity and better stability for the electrooxidation of 2-propanol than Pd/C and E-TEK Pt/C electrocatalysts. The present study shows the promising properties of Au promoted Pd/C as effective electrocatalysts for 2-propanol fuel based direct alcohol fuel cells. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.