Electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol at Pd, Pt, Pd/Pt and Pt/Pd nano particles supported on poly 1,8-diaminonaphthalene film in alkaline medium

An ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in alkaline medium was carried out at palladium (Pd) or platinum (Pt) nanoparticles/poly 1,8-diaminonaphthalene (p1,8-DAN) composite catalyst electrodes. Pd and Pt were incorporated onto a p1,8-DAN/GC electrode by a cyclic voltammetry (CV) strategy. The obtained Pd/p1,8-DAN/GC, Pt/p1,8-DAN/GC, Pt/Pd/p1,8-DAN/GC and Pd/Pt/p1,8-DAN/GC modified electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. Electrode surface areas (ESAs) of the obtained catalysts were calculated by carbon monoxide (CO) adsorption using differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy (DEMS). The electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol (EtOH) at the catalyst electrodes was considered in 0.5 M NaOH solutions by CV and chronoamperometric techniques. The catalyst electrodes significantly enhanced the catalytic efficiency for EOR compared to a bare glassy carbon (GC) electrode. Bimetallic catalyst electrodes demonstrate improved catalytic activity, superior durability and higher tolerance to (CO) poison generated in the development of EOR compared with Pd/p1,8-DAN and Pt/p1,8-DAN catalysts, giving priority to Pt/Pd/p1,8-DAN/GC electrodes. Viability parameters, such as NaOH and EtOH concentrations, scan rate and upper potential limits, were examined and analyzed. This study suggests that the prepared catalysts have pronounced potential applications in direct EOR in fuel cells.