Pd-based bimetallic electrocatalysts for hydrogen oxidation reaction in acidic medium

A series of six bimetallic 10 wt% Pd-M (M: Ag, Co, Cu, Fe, Ru, Zn)/C and two monometallic 10 wt% Pd/C and 10 wt% Pt/C electrocatalysts were prepared via the wet impregnation method, physicochemically character-ized and electrochemically tested in the form of thin films towards their hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) activity in 0.1 M HClO4 at room temperature, using the rotating disk electrode (RDE) technique. 7.5 wt% Pd-2.5 wt% Ag/C was the most active among the Pd-based electrocatalysts, although less active than 10 wt % Pt/C, whereas 7.5 wt% Pd-2.5 wt% Cu/C and 7.5 wt% Pd-2.5 wt% Fe/C exhibited the lowest activity. The superiority of 7.5 wt% Pd-2.5 wt% Ag/C was mainly attributed to the electronic interaction between Ag and Pd on the electrocatalytic surface, which alters the chemisorptive properties of the active metal phase favorably for the HOR.

Automated summary

A series of bimetallic and monometallic electrocatalysts were prepared and tested for their hydrogen oxidation reaction activity. Among the Pd-based electrocatalysts, 7.5 wt% Pd-2.5 wt% Ag/C showed the highest activity, attributed to the electronic interaction between Ag and Pd. The findings have implications for improving the efficiency of hydrogen oxidation reactions.