Development of PdP nano electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

Carbon-supported PdP nanocatalysts, with 15 at.% P, were directly deposited onto a gas diffusion layer (carbon paper with Teflon) by electroless deposition. The electrochemical activity of the catalysts was determined in sulfuric acid solution with and without methanol. PdP alloys show a higher oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity than Pd, but comparable to that of Pt. Additionally, PdP catalysts have significantly higher catalytic activity for the ORR at high concentration of methanol. Rotating disk electrode (RDE) analysis revealed that the ORR on PdP catalyst follows the four-electron pathway. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical measurements. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.