Cu3P/RGO promoted Pd catalysts for alcohol electro-oxidation

Herein, we reduced PdCl42- ions on the synthetized cuprous phosphide/reduced graphene oxidation (Cu3P/RGO) hybrids to improve the catalytic activity and durability of Pd nanocrystals. In comparison with commercial Pd/C and Pd/RGO catalysts, the Pd/Cu3P/RGO exhibit high electroactivity and durability toward alcohol oxidation in alkaline medium. The enhanced catalytic performance of Pd/Cu3P/RGO is due to the high electrochemically active surface area, which can be ascribed to the interactions between Cu3P/RGO and Pd nanocrystals. The investigation of Cu3P/RGO as a promoter in alcohol electrooxidation will offer an opportunity in the field of direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.