Pd supported on 3D graphene aerogel as potential electrocatalyst for alkaline direct methanol fuel cells

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) have been shown potential interest in several portable electronics for ``green power generation, however their large-scale commercial production are mostly hampered due to the low activity and high cost of the anode catalysts. In the present study, we report a facile, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective Pd supported on 3D graphene aerogel (Pd/GA) by one step freeze-casting process. The as-synthesized Pd/GA was broadly characterized by XRD, Raman, SEM, and TEM. Morphology observations show that 3D-porous cellular structure of Pd/GA with uniform distribution of 10 nm Pd nanoparticles on the surface of graphene sheets. Based on structural merits, the performance of Pd/GA has been investigated as an anode catalyst for alkaline DMFCs. Pd/GA catalyst shows significantly superior electrocatalytic performance, abnormally high poison tolerance, and stability as compared to the conventional Pd/carbon black (Vulcan XC-72R) with the same loading (similar to 20%) of Pd.The superior electrocatalytic performance of Pd/GA towards methanol oxidation can be used in practical application as a promising anode material for DMFCs. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A new Pd/GA catalyst with superior electrocatalytic performance for alkaline DMFCs has been reported in this study, showing significantly higher efficiency and tolerance compared to traditional Pd/carbon black catalyst.