High Electrochemical Performance and Stability of Co-Deposited Pd-Au on Phase-Pure Tungsten Carbide for Hydrogen Oxidation

Co-deposited Pd and Au nanoparticles were loaded on phase-pure tungsten mono-carbide (WC) prepared by a polymer-induced carburization method. Among the electrocatalysts, Pd3Au/WC displayed an excellent electrochemical activity for the hydrogen oxidation reaction comparable to the state-of-the-art Pt/C catalyst both in half-cell tests and single cell tests under proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) conditions. This unique and strong synergistic effect was not observed on the carbon support, and thus the crucial role of WC was demonstrated as a strongly interacting support as well as an active component of the electrocatalyst. Dissolution of Pd observed on the carbon support was suppressed in this Pd3Au/WC electrocatalyst, which showed good stability in a continuous operation for 3,000 min. Thus the proposed electrocatalyst could be a potential alternative anode catalyst of lower cost for PEMFC replacing Pt/C.